Police believe there may be additional victims
in Alberta and Saskatchewan
CBC News 
Omar Abdi Ahmed is facing a total of 18 charges in relation to a pair of sexual assaults. (Edmonton Police )
An Edmonton man is facing human trafficking and other charges after two women were allegedly sold for sex and sexually assaulted.
Investigators believe the same man may have trafficked other women in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and that he may have used social media sites to approach women.
Omar Abdi Ahmed, 24, — also known as Jojo — is facing a total of 18 charges, Edmonton police said in a news release Friday. Ahmed is from Winnipeg but has family in Edmonton, police said.
He is in custody.
The police investigation began on Dec. 7, when patrol officers were called to a reported sexual assault in the area of 154th Street and 111th Avenue.
Police determined that an 18-year-old woman had been assaulted and trafficked over several days.
Ahmed is facing six charges in relation to the incident, including human trafficking, procuring, receiving a financial or material benefit from sexual services, advertising sexual services, sexual assault and unlawful confinement.
On Dec. 28, police responded to another report of an assault in the area of 38th Avenue and Gateway Boulevard.There, officers found a 20-year-old woman who had been threatened, choked and trafficked for sex.
Ahmed has been charged with 12 offences in connection with the second incident.
They include human trafficking, receiving a financial or material benefit from sexual services, procuring, advertising sexual services, withholding traffic documents, forcible confinement, uttering threats, choking with intent to overcome, assault, mischief and two counts of breach of recognizance.
Investigators believe Ahmed may have trafficked other women, using social media sites to approach them. Other victims may be in Alberta and Saskatchewan, they said.
Police have released a photo of the accused as they believe there may additional victims who have yet to come forward.
Acting Staff Sgt. Melanie Grace from the EPS vice unit said in a news release Friday: "I encourage anyone who has been approached by Ahmed or feels they have been trafficked or exploited by him to contact police as soon as possible.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Edmonton police or Crime Stoppers.
No comments:
Post a Comment