Calgary woman, accused of human trafficking, acquitted on 5 of 6 charges

Undated image of Jessica Vinje, the Calgary woman accused of human trafficking and forcible confinement

CALGARY – A woman accused of confining a Calgary escort to a windowless room of her downtown apartment and forcing her to have sex with multiple men for money has been found not guilty on five of six charges she faced.

Jessica Vinje was acquitted Monday of five charges, including human trafficking, forcible confinement and unlawfully using an imitation firearm.

But a Calgary judge found the 31-year-old guilty of assault.

“This case is both bizarre and difficult,” said Justice Scott Brooker.

The Court of Queen’s Bench judge said the complainant and accused had two very different versions of events.

“At the time, both were admitted drug users. I have difficulty with the evidence of each,” he said.

The accused testified during her trial in July, stating she met the complainant, who can only be referred to as KM, in December 2017 through a mutual friend. That same day, Vinje said KM asked if she could use her apartment to meet potential escort clients because she needed the money.

Vinje testifed her apartment was often used as a flop house. She admitted punching KM on one occasion when a teen who was at the house said KM propositioned him with an offer to exchange a sexual favour for drugs. Vinje said her memory at the time was foggy because she was always high on heroin.

Vinje said she committed credit card fraud daily to pay for food and taxis.

KM told court she endured days of torture. She testified she was repeatedly assaulted and forced to have sex with strangers for money. KM said some of the men answered online ads posted by Vinje but she never saw any of the money.

On one occasion, KM testified a mask was put over her head and she was taken to an unknown location, where she overheard a conversation about her being sold for $500, but that sale never went through. She also said her captors discussed shooting her.

KM testified she managed to escape five days later when she noticed the apartment was unusually quiet. The court was shown security video from a liquor store across the street where KM is seen running barefoot in a tank top and hiding behind the counter until police arrived.

The judge said the complainant had multiple inconsistencies in her evidence, which raised serious concerns about her reliability and credibility.

“I am not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt the complainants version is true,” said Brooker.

Vinje’s case returns to court next week for a sentencing hearing on the assault charge.

Vinje is currently in custody serving a sentence for convictions including fraud.

Two teens previously pleaded guilty for their roles. A third suspect, who was underage at the time is wanted on a warrant.