The victim and a friend traveled from Ontario to Quebec to meet some new people, including Jamie BYRON who paid and arranged for their travels. The victim was introduced to BYRON when she arrived in Quebec and stayed with him in an apartment with other individuals. The victim believed BYRON wanted to have a romantic relationship. The victim’s friend left the situation, but the victim remained as she did not have money to return home. BYRON soon after told the victim that she belonged to him and would be working for him. The victim told BYRON she was only 17 years old and tried to resist; as a result, the victim was threatened and physically assaulted. BYRON intentionally damaged the victim’s identification documents and forced the victim to provide sexual services to a man for money. BYRON made this arrangement and kept the money the victim earned. The victim was subsequently moved throughout various cities in Quebec and Ontario over a two-month period during which time she was prostituted by BYRON and forced to have sex for money with more than 100 men. BYRON took all the money the victim earned and only provided her with enough to buy food and clothing. BYRON took photos of the victim wearing minimal clothing in order to advertise her on the internet, determined the content of these ads, and arranged the hotel rooms where the victim provided the sexual services. BYRON used force to ensure the victim complied with his demands.
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Jamie BYRON was found guilty of human trafficking specific and related offences by a judge. As a result, BYRON was sentenced to six years in prison; one of the longest sentences in Canada for human trafficking for sexual exploitation. This was the first conviction by a judge in Canada under the trafficking of a person under the age of 18 years offence.