A Cochrane man faces five charges related to human/sex trafficking that occurred between 2004 and 2007.
A nine-month investigation by the RCMP led to the arrest of 47-year-old Darren Routhier on Nov. 7 on charges of human trafficking, receiving financial benefits from the trafficking of a person, sexual assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement and extortion.
He has been released on conditions to have no contact with the victims of the investigation and is scheduled to next appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Cochrane on Nov. 26.
At a press conference today, Sgt. Matt Pumphrey, of the Cochrane RCMP’s general investigation section, says they were able to identify other female victims during the investigation.
"In talking to all the different women who came forward and provided statements, there was a lot of corroboration between the different victims and their stories."
In February, the complainant bravely stepped forward to report she had been the victim of human/sex trafficking at the hands of a man she had met over an online dating site, between 2004 and 2007, in Cochrane.
Sgt. Pumphrey says after a brief, consensual relationship, the man began to traffic her online through the Cochrane and Calgary area for monetary gain. He posted nude photos of her on a website where other men would then contact the site to arrange for sexual services.
Pumphrey says the accused then drove the victim to the arranged locations where he would wait and collect the money, then drive the victim to the next scheduled appointment.
He says it's never too late for other victims to step forward.
"The courage of the victims in this investigation to come forward is remarkable. The trauma of human trafficking cannot be understated and if you or someone you know needs assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.”
For some, it may be shocking to know this occurs right in our own backyard. Pumphrey says the exploitation of vulnerable women is more common than we'd like to believe.
"Cochrane is a bedroom community of Calgary and I think it's common to think or to believe that this is a Calgary issue. This case proves, although 20 years ago, that it's not. This can happen anywhere."
He implores other who believe they may be a victim or know of someone who may have been the victim of human trafficking to step forward.
Country artist Paul Brandt, founder of ##NotInMyCity and co-chair of the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons, participated in the press conference.
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