Human trafficking charges dropped against Wasaga Beach man following conviction of co-accused

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A Wasaga Beach, Ont., man had his human trafficking charges dropped by the Crown in a virtual Barrie courtroom following the conviction of his four co-accused.

After testifying against Tyrone Dias, Jashyna Singh, Oneil Hopkinson, and Joseph Carvalho, trial dates for Hung Lam were vacated by the court. Lam was scheduled to stand trial this week.

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The 57-year-old told a Barrie jury about his involvement in a drug and sex trafficking ring in the nine-week trial of his co-accused, who were convicted earlier this month of all 16 sex trafficking and sexual assault counts as charged.

Lam, who had been out on bail for three years, was one of seven people accused of being part of a human and drug trafficking ring set up in homes and hotel rooms in the Barrie, Bradford, and Innisfil area.

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The investigation, led by South Simcoe Police, dubbed Project Chameleon, began when a woman came forward to report being exploited in the sex trade at a home along Yonge Street in Innisfil. The case also saw the conviction of Edgar Martinez, 39, who took a plea deal ahead of trial and then testified against the group.

Martinez admitted to sexual assault and human trafficking for providing security for the operation by keeping women safe with clients. Martinez was sentenced to five years, less time served in pre-sentence custody.

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He told the court he found himself caught up in the sex trafficking ring because of his love of Pokémon cards and friendship with Dias, whom he considered a brother. Martinez told the court Dias ran the operation with Singh. Oneil Hopkinson was also convicted of sexual assault.

The Crown said Carvalho and Lam drove the women to and from clients. Carvalho also set up security cameras used to monitor the women in the Yonge Street home.

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The court heard the traffickers placed online ads for sexual services being provided by several women who were supplied drugs and often earned two to three thousand dollars a day before handing most of the money to Dias and Singh.

Hopkinson’s sentencing hearing begins in August; his co-accused return to court later this week.