Toronto man, woman facing 18 charges in human trafficking case

Toronto Police have arrested a man and woman after a 16-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted and forced into prostitution over a period of eight months.

Police say the girl was allegedly recruited to become a prostitute by two individuals and transported from a city in the GTA to a hotel in Toronto.

Officials say the 16-year-old was beaten and pistol-whipped by the two suspects when she attempted to leave.

The victim was then moved around to different hotels across southern Ontario over a period of eight months and forced to engage in prostitution.

On May 8 police executed search warrants in connection to the case and arrested two suspects.

Tyrone Smith, 20, is facing 12 charges including sexual assault, assault with a weapon and trafficking of a person under 18 years of age.

Lamone Smith, 23, is facing six charges including and trafficking of a person under 18 years of age, exercising control and procuring a person to become a prostitute.

The two appeared in court on Friday.

Police believe there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).