Man charged with human trafficking in Niagara Region dating back to 2008

A St. Catharines man has been charged with human trafficking in the Niagara region dating from 2008 from 2018.

Detectives with Niagara police and its Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) began a “historical investigation” into the trafficking and were led to a man who was a delivery driver for a local company.

Today, St. Catharines/Thorold officers and the HTU arrested and charged Stephen Caron, 56, with trafficking in persons, material benefit, four counts of sexual assault, assault and assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

Caron was scheduled to appear in court at a St. Catharines courthouse.

Detectives have reason to believe there are additional witnesses and are urging them to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Niagara police at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009742. Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

The HTU recognizes the ongoing assistance of Victim Services Niagara and other members of the Anti-Human Trafficking Response Protocol of the Niagara Region.

Survivors of human trafficking are encouraged to contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline online or at 1-833-900-1010. The multilingual service is open 24/7.

READ MORE: Cash stolen in armed robbery at Ohsweken business