Man charged with Human Trafficking, multiple other offences

**** RCMP Media Release

Man charged with Human Trafficking, multiple other offences

Following a four month multi-jurisdictional investigation led by the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team, a man from Nova Scotia has been charged with multiple Criminal Code Offences related to human trafficking along with multiple Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences.

On January 23, at approximately 9:25 a.m., the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team, with the assistance of the New Brunswick RCMP, arrested 31-year-old Morgan MacDonald outside the Atlantic Institution in Renous, New Brunswick, where he had been serving time for an unrelated matter. The arrest was made without incident and MacDonald was transported to Colchester District RCMP. He is appearing in Truro Provincial Court today.

MacDonald has been charged with multiple offences including:

• Four counts of Trafficking in Underage Persons
• Receiving a Financial or Material Benefit Knowing it Resulted from Human Trafficking
• Two counts of Procuring a Person to Offer or Provide Sexual Services
• Advertising Sexual Services
• Receiving a Material Benefit from Sexual Services
• Four counts of Luring a Child
• Possession of Child Pornography
• Three counts of Uttering Threats to Cause Bodily Harm or Death
• Intimidation of a Justice System Participant
• Two counts of Break, Enter, and Commit an Indictable Offence
• Three counts of Assault
• Five counts of Trafficking Cocaine
• Trafficking MDMA/ Ecstasy
• Two counts of Trafficking Clonazepam

“The Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team is focused on holding human traffickers accountable to the full extent of the law while connecting​ victims with the resources and supports they need,” says Cpl Jen Clarke of the Nova Scotia RCMP. “We hope these charges represent a step forward in the healing process for the victims.”

Anyone can become a victim of human trafficking. The signs are often there, but it can be challenging to piece together. That is why it is so important to know what to look for.

Signs of human trafficking include:

• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Met someone (i.e. boyfriend) who treats the victims like a prince or princess.
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Starts to withdraw from family and friends (i.e. limits social media use).
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Constantly having to check in with someone via cell phone with an urgency to call or text a response.
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Changes in physical appearance (such as having hair and nails done).
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Unexplained gifts.
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​New clothing, lingerie, designer shoes and handbags.
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Can be escorted and/or watched.
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Is isolated from friends and family.
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​New tattoos (can indicate branding or ownership).
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Moves addresses frequently and/or often stays in hotels.
• ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Unexplained injuries or bruises.

Fact Sheet_human trafficking_2020-01-23

If you suspect that you are or have been trafficked, believe you know someone who is being trafficked or have information related to this investigation, please contact the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team at 902-449-2425. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App. The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-833-900-1010) is a nation-wide hotline.

The investigation is ongoing. The Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team is leading the investigation and was assisted by Colchester District RCMP, the Vice Unit of the​ Integrated Criminal Investigation Division, Truro Police Service​ and New Brunswick RCMP.