Trial of Orillia, Ont. man accused of exploiting workers from Mexico postponed

An Orillia subcontractor accused of labour trafficking workers from Mexico had his upcoming trial dates postponed.

An Orillia, Ont. subcontractor who provincial police allege took advantage of unsuspecting workers from Mexico had his upcoming trial dates vacated by a Barrie judge.

Juan Rodriguez-Miranda, 61, remains behind bars accused of labour trafficking 15 workers from Mexico in 2022. The accused, who recently made a change of lawyers, had his six-week trial postponed because of the counsel switch to allow for Stephanie Marcade to take over his case.

Rodriguez-Miranda, who also goes by the first name Jamie, was charged with 21 counts related to human trafficking.

Police said at the time of his arrest, Rodriguez-Miranda offered workers from Mexico jobs with his company JJUL’s Enterprise or JJ Enterprise with the promise of work permits, training, housing, and good pay.

Investigators said Rodriguez-Miranda housed the workers in unsanitary conditions, with some workers allegedly paid little or nothing at all.

Police said the workers’ rooms were dirty and small, adding their food was rationed. Officers alleged the workers had to take shifts sleeping in the limited number of beds and rooms they shared. Investigators have referred to labour trafficking as modern-day slavery.

They said a tip in November 2022 led them to uncover labour trafficking crimes, and alleged the accused threatened the workers would be arrested or deported if they came forward to police. Police also claimed the accused threatened the safety of the workers’ families.

Rodriguez-Miranda was charged with 11 counts of human trafficking and 10 counts of material benefits in trafficking of persons. His judicial pre-trial is scheduled for June. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.

Related | Orillia, Ont. subcontractor faces 21 charges in human trafficking investigation