Orillia, Ont. subcontractor faces 21 charges in human trafficking investigation
A Simcoe County man faces 21 charges in a human labour trafficking investigation involving more than a dozen people, according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Police arrested Juan 'Jamie' Rodriguez-Miranda, 59, of Orillia, Ont., on March 15 and charged him with 11 counts of human trafficking and 10 counts of material benefits in trafficking of persons.
OPP says it launched an investigation, called Project SASSAFRAS, after receiving a tip in November 2022 that a group of people were victims of labour abuse.
The Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy, says the accused promised the individuals a job at his subcontracting company north of Barrie, including work permits, training, housing and a salary.
"The reality was quite opposite," said OPP Det. Insp. Jane Conway.
Police allege the accused offered the workers two residences with dirty, inadequate sleeping conditions, including placing multiple people in small spaces or sharing a bed.
Ontario Provincial Police supply an image of the poor living conditions at a residence where alleged victims of human trafficking were staying in Orillia, Ont. (OPP)
"Food provided to the victims as part of the arrangements was inadequately rationed," added Conway.
Investigators say the workers received partial or no payment and claim the accused threatened they would be arrested or deported if they went to the authorities. Police say he also threatened the safety of their families.
RELATED
- OPP warns about human trafficking in Ontario
- Raising awareness about human trafficking to protect young people
Fifteen people, aged 21 to 54, are now being supported through the OPP IJFS Victim Specialist and Simcoe Muskoka and Toronto Victims' Services.
"This labour human trafficking investigation began with a complaint and ended with 15 victims being taken out of an inhumane situation," said Conway.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique commended the investigation in a release on Friday. "The coordinated response displayed by our members and partners was integral to this labour human trafficking investigation. Thanks to their collaborative determination and diligence, 15 victims were supported and ultimately removed from an exploitative situation."
The accused remains in custody pending a bail hearing.
Police say they expect more victims will come forward as the investigation continues.
Investigators ask anyone who hired JJUL'S Enterprises Inc. in the last few months to speak with the police by calling 1-888-310-1122.
The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.