Human trafficking probe leads to charges for men from Mississauga and Toronto

Two men face numerous charges in connection with a police investigation into allegations a female was trafficked and sexually exploited throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Investigators from the Peel Regional Police vice and human trafficking squad, with help from Ontario Provincial Police and Correctional Service Canada, arrested a Mississauga man and a Toronto man authorities believe to be  associated with the street gang known as MS-13.

The arrests were made as part of an ongoing human trafficking investigation launched by Peel police last November and dubbed Project Mermaid, police said on Wednesday. The probe looked into allegations that a female was being trafficked and sexually exploited across the GTA.

Police allege a man, while serving a lengthy prison sentence, used an unauthorized cellphone to communicate with the victim and a second man.

According to investigators, the men are alleged to have used “intimidation, manipulation and threats of violence to control the victim while financially benefiting from her exploitation.”

Police executed four search warrants in Mississauga and the Collingwood area, a couple of hours’ drive north of the GTA, as part of their probe.

Marcos Ariel Marinoni, 42, of Mississauga, and Carlos Gutierrez, 30, of Toronto, are each charged with:

• Trafficking in Persons.
• Receiving Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons.
• Advertising Sexual Services.
• Communicate with Anyone for Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services.
• Material Benefit from Sexual Services.
• Exercise Control.

Marinoni is additionally charged with:

• Assault with a Weapon.
• Knowledge Of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm.
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm.
• Withholding or Destroying Documents for the Purposes of Trafficking in Persons.

Both accused remain in custody, police said.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.

Anyone with information relevant to the case is urged to call police at 905-453-2121, ext. 3555.

(Photos of suspects from Peel Regional Police)