An Edmonton man is accused of sexually exploiting and trafficking multiple women since June 2025. Jonathan Allard, 47, was already at the Edmonton Remand Centre on unrelated charges when he was arrested in connection with the trafficking charges on March 26. The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) says a woman called 911 in June to report that she had come to Edmonton after agreeing to rent a room from Allard via social media. “Upon arriving in Edmonton, Allard explained to the female that he was a human trafficker, a pimp, and that she would be working for him,” Sgt. Chris Hayes of ALERT told reporters on Wednesday. “The female didn’t have any control over what she was going to be doing. Allard made the arrangements for the dates that she would be going to and communicated with all the clients. Took the money. Everything was out of her control.” He faces 26 Criminal Code charges – including human trafficking, forcible confinement, assault, procuring and advertising sexual services – and two Animal Protection Act charges related to his alleged sexual and physical abuse of a dog. “Through the course of the investigation, it was learned that there were more than 10 female victims involved. ALERT was able to talk to five of the 10 females who provided different statements,” Hayes said. Allard is being held in custody until his next court appearance on April 15. The victims are receiving support services. He was previously acquitted on similar charges in Winnipeg. “It’s not surprising to me. The justice system that we have allows for this sometimes,” Hayes said. “It’s very unnerving for us, but it’s not shocking.” Allard also has a lengthy criminal history in Alberta. In addition to the charges laid against him by ALERT he also has charges of sexual assault, assault, unlawful confinement and intimidation before the courts. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
