Based on coverage from Times of India, Toronto Star, CP24, Insauga, and CityNews Toronto.
Six men from across the GTA and Durham Region have been arrested and charged after Durham Regional Police say they arranged meetings for sexual services with people they believed were under 18.
Police say the arrests stem from an investigation led by the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit, focused on targeting people attempting to buy sexual services from minors. Investigators allege the suspects were “fully aware” they were communicating with minors when the meetings were arranged.
Durham Region Project Firebird arrests
DRPS says the operation, called Project Firebird, is aimed at combating the purchase of sexual services from minors in Durham Region. Police describe it as an ongoing initiative that uses undercover work and online investigations to identify and charge people who try to procure sexual services from youth.
Multiple reports cite police saying investigators observed several people arranging meetings for sexual services in January. Six suspects were then taken into custody, and police laid a total of 19 charges.
Six accused men and Ontario hometowns
Police have named the six accused and their communities:
- Manish Singh, 22, of Brampton - Bruce Herrington, 50, of Ajax - Nickolas Chen, 24, of Markham - Sarang Kapdi, 33, of Pickering - Leodee Ayoyao (also spelled Ayoyo in one report), 27, of Oshawa - Christopher Smith, 39, of Oshawa
The accused range in age from 22 to 50, according to police.
One point where coverage differs slightly is the spelling of one Oshawa man’s surname: some reports list Leodee Ayoyao, while another spells it Ayoyo. The rest of the names and details match across reports.
Charges: luring and sexual services under 18
All six men face the same core allegations, according to DRPS and the reports drawing from the police news release. The charges include:
- Luring a person for the purpose of obtaining sexual services under 18 - Obtaining sexual services from someone under 18 - Invitation to sexual touching under 16
Police also allege one accused, Nickolas Chen of Markham, faces an additional charge of obstruction (described as obstructing police in some coverage).
Altogether, police say 19 charges were laid across the six accused.
Court process and release conditions
After being charged, all six were released on an undertaking (also described as a promise to appear). That means they were not kept in custody ahead of court, but are required to appear at future court dates as the case moves through the justice system.
As with any criminal case, the charges are allegations that will need to be tested in court.
Support resources and how to report in Durham
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit, and they also point people toward the DRPS Children at Risk of Exploitation Unit for support. Durham Region also lists a local survivor support network, alongside community victim services and Crime Stoppers options for anonymous tips.
The broader message from police is that Project Firebird is meant to do two things at once: lay charges against people seeking to exploit minors, and connect potential victims with help.
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