Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
December 12, 2023 - 3:17 PM
A Quebec man has been arrested in connection to multiple instances of human trafficking in Kelowna.
Stanley Jean-Baptiste, 36, was arrested in Montreal, Dec. 8, and has been charged with multiple offences relating to Trafficking in Persons, according to an RCMP media release.
The Kelowna RCMP Sex Crimes Unit became involved in a sex trafficking investigation in May of 2021. The trafficking was allegedly taking place in or near Kelowna as well as Victoria.
The results of the investigations led to an arrest warrant being issued for Jean-Baptise. With the assistance of Montreal law enforcement, Jean-Baptiste was arrested and now remains in custody as he awaits being escorted back to Kelowna to appear in court.
“We know that Kelowna is part of a circuit used by human traffickers who exploit vulnerable individuals for sexual purposes,” RCMP Cpl. Tim Russell, Kelowna Vulnerable Persons Unit, said in the release. “Our investigators remain steadfast in our commitment along with other community partners who have taken a stance to combat this criminality in our community.”
The Kelowna RCMP, the City of Kelowna, the Kelowna International Airport and the Kelowna Child Advocacy Centre have been trying to raise awareness about human trafficking with the Not In My City campaign launched last spring. The campaign aims at highlighting and preventing human trafficking and youth sexual exploitation.
Anyone having information regarding someone involved with human trafficking should contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 or anonymously report it by contacting the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online on the Crime Stoppers website here.
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