News Release
Man Arrested in Human Trafficking Investigation,
Greater Toronto area,
Image Released
The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of an arrest made in a Human Trafficking investigation.
In September 2026, the Human Trafficking Unit commenced an investigation in the City of Toronto.
It is alleged that:
- through a combination of deception, coercion and control, the accused trafficked a 28-year-old victim over a six-year period
- the money earned by the victim was surrendered over to the accused and was kept by him
On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Justin Ferguson, 35, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:
- Trafficking in Persons Comprehensive
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services
- Financial/Material Benefit/Trafficking Person Over 18
- Procuring - Comprehensive
- Possess Firearm without holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly not Holding Licence and Registration Certificate
- Utter Threats/Death or Bodily Harm
He was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in room 204.
It is further alleged that:
- through a combination of deception, coercion and control, the accused trafficked a second 28-year-old victim over an eleven-year period
- the accused first met and sexually exploited the victim while the victim was under 18 years-old
- the money earned by the victim was surrendered over to the accused and was kept by him
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Justin Ferguson, 35, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:
- Trafficking in Persons Under 18 Comprehensive
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services Provided by Person Under 18 years
- Financial/Material Benefit/Trafficking Person Under18
- Procuring Under 18 - Comprehensive
- Trafficking in Persons Comprehensive
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services
- Financial/Material Benefit/Trafficking Person Over 18
- Procuring - Comprehensive
- Possess Firearm without holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly not Holding Licence and Registration Certificate
- Utter Threats/Death or Bodily Harm
- Possess Firearm without holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly not Holding Licence and Registration Certificate
- Assault
- Sexual Exploitation of a Young Person
He was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 11 a.m., in room 204.
Investigators believe there may be more victims. An image of the accused has been released.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4838 or [email protected].
Human Trafficking means every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation, for a sexual purpose or a forced labour purpose. Victims can be men, women or children; can be Canadian citizens; and can be moved across local, provincial or national borders. They can be coerced through violence or the threat of violence against family and friends. The Human Trafficking Unit of Sex Crimes is dedicated to investigating these crimes against vulnerable members of society. For more information, please visit the Sex Crimes website.
Police would like to encourage all affected individuals to come forward and report human trafficking occurrences to the police. We want to ensure everyone has access to support services and an exit strategy, regardless of their decision to proceed criminally.
