A London man is facing multiple human trafficking related charges following an investigation done by the London police Human Trafficking Unit.
Police say the investigation began in Sept. 2024 after a woman came forward, alleging that a man pressured her into sex work and advertised her services online shortly after starting a relationship with him. Between Sept. and Dec. of that year, she was allegedly sent to several cities to provide sexual services.
Police say the woman was also assaulted multiple times during the span of the relationship.
As a result of the investigation, Shakire Ramone Mendoza, 26, has been charged with the following offences:
- Trafficking in person
- Financial/material benefit/trafficking person over 18
- Material benefit from sexual services
- Four counts of assault
- Sexual assault
- Assault by suffocation
Investigators say they believe that there may be other victims. They have released a photograph of the accused on X. Mendoza remains in custody and is scheduled to appear again in court on Sept. 29.
London Police is asking anyone with information in relation to this incident or the individual charged to contact them or Crime Stoppers. The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is also available at 1-833-900-1010.
