Toronto Police have arrested a 20-year-old suspect but are still looking for a second man in connection with a sex trafficking investigation involving two teenaged females.
The teen victims involved in the case are 17 and 18 years old. They were both brought into the sex trade in the last two weeks in the Mississauga area, police said Wednesday.
The case first unfolded when a man first met a 17-year-old girl on Instagram about one year ago.
Two weeks ago, police say the man arranged to meet the girl and told her she could make a great deal of money in the sex trade.
Investigators allege the man took the girl to a hotel in Mississauga and took photos of her in various stages of undress and posted them on backpages.com, advertising the victim was offering sexual services.
Police say the man arranged johns to meet the victim via text message and told the victim what services were to be provided and what price to charge for each.
All proceeds were handed over to the man.
The 17-year-old victim then introduced the man to her 18-year-old friend. Investigators say the man convinced the 18-year-old to work for him in the sex trade as well.
The man allegedly took the two teens to a motel in Mississauga and introduced them to another man who police say is 20 years old. Investigators said the two men both took photos of the victims together in various stages of undress and posted the photos on backpages.com.
Last Saturday, a suspect identified as 20-year-old Stephen McGann of Toronto was arrested.
He faces 15 charges including trafficking in persons under 18 by recruiting, procuring a person under 18, exercising control, child porn possession and receiving material benefit from sexual services.
He appeared in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Monday.
Const. Jen Sidhu said a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the man who first lured the 17-year-old into the sex trade, but police declined to identify him publicly.
Investigators are concerned there are other victims who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477 (TIPS).
