Between February 2 and June 4, 2024, the Manitoba RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit conducted a major operation in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals and the laying of 65 charges.

The operation was initiated when local RCMP were alerted to a young girl seen in the company of older men. The investigation led to the discovery of a human trafficking operation exploiting two 15-year-old girls. An adult female had befriended the girls, luring them with promises of drugs and money. The girls were then coerced into performing sexual acts with adult males in exchange for drugs and occasionally money.

The exploitation involved the exchange of nude photos and grooming via Snapchat and Facebook Messenger. The adult female accomplice would lock the girls in the location, remaining present throughout the entire interaction.

During the execution of 10 search warrants, officers seized a significant quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with 13 firearms, including rifles and shotguns.

The following individuals have been charged for their alleged involvement:

• Chasity Nicole Assiniboine, 43, from Long Plain First Nation, faces multiple charges including trafficking of a person under 18 and child luring.
• Sean Michael Boak, 40, from Portage, is charged with sexual interference, child luring, and possession of child pornography among other charges.
• David Guy Howard Taylor, 40, from Portage, faces charges including sexual assault, child luring, and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.
• Scott Joseph Taylor, 34, from Portage, is charged with obtaining sexual services for consideration for a person under 18 and unsafe storage of firearms.
• Wesley Clayton Roulette, 44, from Portage, is charged with sexual assault, child luring, and obtaining sexual services for consideration for a person under 18.
• Alexander Paul Lidster, 39, from Portage, faces multiple charges including sexual assault, child luring, and possession of child pornography.
• Frank Peter Justin Tecza, 39, from Portage, is charged with sexual assault, child luring, and trafficking cocaine.

All the accused are known to each other.

Inspector Shawn Pike, Investigative Services Officer for RCMP Major Crime Services, believes there may be more victims. He urges anyone with information about this operation or who may be a survivor to contact the Internet Child Exploitation Unit at 204-984-3129.

Constable Kirandeep Hira with the ICE unit warns, “This is human trafficking, and it is happening all over Manitoba. We all need to do our part to protect those victimized by traffickers. If you see something, say something.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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