**** RCMP Media Release
Human Trafficking Team charged three men for sexual offences
The Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team has charged three men for sexual offences.
The Provincial Human Trafficking Team received information that persons in the Pictou County area were attempting to target and recruit young women from the area into Human Trafficking. In response to this, the Provincial Human Trafficking Team lead Operation Hush in conjunction with Nova Scotia RCMP, New Glasgow Regional Police (NGRP), Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (PCISCEU) and Stellarton Police Service (SPS). The Operation lead to the arrest and charge of three men for the following offences:
John Robert Bonnar, 21, from Pictou County was charged with:
- Trafficking a Person under 18
- Trafficking a Person over 18
- Material Benefits from Sexual Services Regarding a Person under 18
- Material Benefits from Sexual Services Regarding a Person over 18
- Procuring a Person under 18 for Sexual Services
- Procuring a Person over 18 for Sexual Services
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Sexual Assault x 2
- Sexual Interference x 2
- Extortion
- Breach of Probation
He was remanded into custody, appeared in Pictou Provincial Court yesterday and is scheduled to return to court on June 22.
Abelardo Sanchez Villar, 45, from New Glasgow was charged with Obtaining Sexual Services from a Person under 18, Obtaining Sexual Services from a Person over 18, Sexual Assault and Breach of Probation. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Pictou Provincial Court today.
Justin Stanley MacDonald, 22, from New Glasgow was charged with Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference and Breach of Probation. He was released from custody by a Justice of the Peace on conditions. He is schedule to appear in Pictou Provincial Court on August 17.
The victims have been offered support and a Publication Ban was issued by the Provincial Court Judge in relation to all matters.
If you are or have been trafficked, or believe someone you know is being trafficked, the RCMP has a support line you can call or text. It is monitored 24 hours a day by a police officer: 902-449-2425. The callers can choose to leave their information anonymously. Anonymous calls can also be made by contacting Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.
