Toronto police have laid additional charges in a human-trafficking investigation after two more alleged victims came forward, authorities said, bringing the total to three women who police allege were recruited through an online dating application.
Repeated arrests followed a series of search warrants and interviews
The accused, identified by police as Elijah Benjamin, 36, surrendered to officers on a recent Friday, according to a police release. Investigators from the service's human trafficking unit say the probe took place over several weeks in June, July and August, and led to multiple arrests and charges tied to separate alleged victims.
Police say Benjamin was initially arrested after a search warrant was executed at a Mississauga residence. The investigation led to his arrest on July 22, with subsequent rearrests on July 30 and Aug. 14.
"Through a combination of deception, coercion, and control,"
According to the Toronto police human trafficking unit, the first alleged victim — a 32-year-old woman — was forced to take sexualized photographs that were distributed online, with money she earned being surrendered to and kept by the accused. That matter resulted in a range of charges laid on July 22.
Charges described by police
Toronto police outlined distinct allegations and charges linked to each of the three cases. While investigators did not provide further details about the women involved, they confirmed the accused had met all three alleged victims using an online dating app.
- In the first case, charges included assault; theft over $5,000; procuring; advertising another person's sexual services; trafficking in persons over 18; uttering threats causing death; financial/material benefit from trafficking persons over 18; and material benefit from sexual services. These charges were announced in a release on July 23.
- In the second matter, police say similar methods were used involving another 32-year-old woman. Charges laid on July 30 included: procuring; trafficking in persons by recruiting; advertising another person's sexual services; living on the avails of prostitution; material benefit from sexual services; assault with a weapon; and two counts of assault.
- Police say a third investigation in August resulted in further allegations and additional charges; details were provided by the human trafficking unit as part of their ongoing enforcement activity.
| Date | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| July 22 | Initial arrest | Search warrant executed at a Mississauga address; multiple charges announced July 23 |
| July 30 | Re-arrest | Additional charges related to a second 32-year-old alleged victim |
| Aug. 14 | Re-arrest | Further charges as investigation continued into a third alleged victim |
Local implications and continuing probe
Human-trafficking investigations often involve lengthy interviews, forensic analysis and co-ordination with specialized units; Toronto police's human trafficking unit said its work over June, July and August produced the multiple arrests and the expanded list of charges. Police also noted the accused met the alleged victims on an online dating platform, a detail investigators have highlighted in recent years as part of a pattern in similar cases.
At this stage, the police release did not disclose further details about the allegations, the identity of the victims beyond their ages in two of the cases, or whether any charges have yet proceeded to court. The accused surrendered to authorities and remains subject to the charges outlined by investigators.
Members of the public with information about the matters under investigation are typically asked by police to contact Toronto police's human trafficking unit, or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.
As the case advances, it will be watched closely by residents of Mississauga and the broader Greater Toronto Area, where law enforcement and community groups continue to confront the challenges of online-related exploitation.
