Another local resident is facing charges in connection to a human-trafficking investigation dubbed Project Chameleon.
The South Simcoe Police Service Criminal Investigation Bureau recently arrested Innisfil resident Samantha Davenport on two counts of obstruction of justice. Police say one of the charges stems from the accused allegedly contacting several human-trafficking victims and witnesses who are involved in the investigation.
It is alleged the accused attempted to influence an identified victim. The attempt to influence was reported to police and occurred after the accused’s brother had been unable to obtain bail.
The second charge relates to the accused allegedly agreeing to pay another identified victim a sum of money to become a surety for Tyrone Dias, who was charged in early November with numerous offences, including drug possession for the purpose of trafficking (four counts), possession of a controlled substance (four counts) and one count each of trafficking in persons, material benefit from the trafficking of persons, material benefit from sexual services and advertising sexual services.
The monetary offer was allegedly made by the accused after Dias was unable to obtain bail.
A surety is a person appointed by a court to supervise a suspect who has been granted bail while they await trial.
Davenport was arrested, but later released from custody on an undertaking with conditions and will appear in court on April 25.
Police say they believe there could be additional witnesses and victims related to the actions of both Dias and Davenport.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and all of the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Project Chameleon is an ongoing human-trafficking investigation that was initiated by South Simcoe officers in May 2023.
It started with a report indicating a female was being held in a residence in Innisfil for the purpose of providing sexual services. An initial probe identified two men as allegedly being involved in trafficking the female victim and exploiting her for financial gain.
The female victim also accused one of the suspects of sexually assaulted her.
As the investigation progressed, three suspects were identified for apparently posting online advertisements for sexual services in relation to several females from the Bradford and Innisfil areas.
On Nov. 1, in partnership with police departments in York Region and Barrie, South Simcoe officers executed search warrants at a residence in Innisfil and another in Newmarket.
This investigation has resulted in the arrest of seven people who face various charges related to human trafficking, sexual services and drugs.
Anyone with information related to this investigation can contact police at 905-775-3311 or [email protected]. They can also leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestopperssdm.com.
