Warning: Readers may find details in this article disturbing and triggering. A jury has convicted the founder of Innisfil Pride of sex trafficking two women following more than two weeks of trial in Barrie. Jake Tucker, 39, was found guilty on seven of 10 human trafficking and assault charges after six hours of deliberations. Tucker described the verdict as unfair and vows to appeal the convictions. “Everybody worked hard and they were doing their jobs,” said Tucker of the jury. “I just feel like there was a lot that was overlooked.” Tucker was acquitted on three counts of assault, sexual assault, and assault with a weapon. While not getting into specifics, Tucker, who also twice ran for office unsuccessfully in provincial elections, said the criminal charges were motivated by family court proceedings. The allegations first surfaced in 2022 when one woman came forward to police alleging she was sex trafficked by Tucker for years. Police then reached out to another woman who said she too worked for Tucker in the sex trade. The Crown argued Tucker advertised their sexual services, drove them to and from clients, and drugged them when they did not want to work. One woman told the court Tucker used a taser on her. The defence maintained that Tucker was innocent and the women, who admitted to being addicted to drugs for several years while working in the sex trade, were lying about Tucker’s involvement. The defence said the testimony from the complainants was unreliable. The defence told the jury the police investigation into Tucker was flawed and conducted poorly. “I actually ran a swingers’ club, and I worked for a U-Haul, and a food truck and drove a school bus,” said Tucker outside the courthouse following the verdict Wednesday evening. “I feel like anything else would make it impossible to do.” Tucker denied running an escort business and being a pimp. “No, I am not. Definitely not,” Tucker replied. The Crown said Tucker held a position of trust, power and authority over the women and they were exploited working for his escort business. The women testified they needed the money to get by and feed their drug habits and that Tucker was there to facilitate the sex transactions, supply them drugs and collect the money before they got their cut. The Crown referred to Tucker’s actions as “coercive, aggressive and violent.” Tucker left the courthouse surrounded by loved ones. “I am more than grateful to the people who have stuck beside me knowing the entirety of the story. They’ve stuck beside me from day one and they have been my rock,” said Tucker who returns to court in May to set a sentencing hearing date.
