ANTIGONISH, N.S. — A first-year student at St. Francis Xavier University has been charged with human trafficking-related offences in Ontario.
Justin Barrett, 20, of Brampton, Ont., was arrested by York Regional Police in December for allegedly exploiting a 16-year-old girl in the sex trade and forcing her to turn over her earnings.
Barrett faces several charges, including the procurement and trafficking of persons under the age of 18, profiting from such trafficking, possession and distribution of child pornography and luring a child under 18.
The girl is from the York region of Ontario and the offences allegedly happened in Ontario.
However, York Regional Police said there may be other victims and are asking they come forward.
Barrett was a goalkeeper on the men's soccer team at St. F.X. but is no longer listed on the online roster. He previously played soccer at a college in West Virginia.
On Dec. 29, St. F.X. administration sent a notice to students after it learned of the arrest.
“Please note that the university has not been contacted by legal authorities, and we are not aware of any allegations of criminal activity within our community related to this individual at this time,” reads the email from Elizabeth Yeo, the university's vice-president of students.
“The university will be monitoring and reviewing the situation closely to ensure the safety of our community, which is always our priority. This includes attempting to gain more information from the York Regional Police about the file.”
