Lethbridge man accused of sexually assaulting, trafficking 14-year-old girl

A 50-year-old Lethbridge man faces charges of unlawful confinement, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

A Lethbridge man is facing human trafficking charges after allegedly sexual assaulting a teenage girl repeatedly while keeping her confined in a downtown apartment.

The investigation began in December 2025, when police were called to the 500 block of Eighth Street South for reports a 14-year-old was being held against her will.

A man answered the door, and the girl was found inside the apartment in medical distress.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Officers arrested the man, and the victim was taken to hospital.

While executing a search warrant on the apartment, police found two more girls inside, ages 15 and 16.

The 14-year-old alleged she had been forcibly confined and repeatedly sexually assaulted by the accused and other men over a three-day period.

“During the assaults, she was also forced to consume drugs,” police alleged in a Tuesday news release. “The 15-year-old and 16-year-old were forcibly confined to the apartment for several hours, during which time the male exposed himself.”

Skye Atoa, 50, is charged with trafficking of a person under 18, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual interference, obtaining sexual services of a child for consideration, indecent exposure to a child under 16, sexual counsel of a child and three counts of unlawful confinement.

He has also been charged in connection with a sexual assault in October 2025, in which a 24-year-old was victimized.

Atoa, who has been in custody since his arrest in mid-December, was granted bail at a Monday court appearance.

He is scheduled to appear in court next on Feb. 2.

“Any time these type of incidents happen it’s concerning, and public safety has remained our number one priority,” said Staff Sgt. Ashlin Snowdon. “Making sure that these incidents are investigated thoroughly and that they involve all the appropriate resources is paramount.”

Police believe there may be additional, unidentified victims, and have released a photo of Atoa in an effort to encourage people to come forward by calling police at 403-328-4444.

With files from Quinn Keenan, CTV News