Mounties in Langley say they’ve secured criminal charges of human trafficking against a woman following what they describe as a “complex” investigation.
"Due to the often-hidden nature and complexity of these offences, human trafficking charges are rare in Canada,” said Insp. Erica Moir, the Operations Support Officer of Langley RCMP, according to a statement from Cpl. Craig van Herk issued Dec. 21.
Langley RCMP stated Jennifer Lynn Stephens faces 14 criminal charges approved by the BC Prosecution Service.
Police say the charges stem from alleged sexual exploitation of multiple victims.
Langley RCMP said it received a call March 7 from a gas station near a hotel in the 20400-block of 88 Avenue in the Township of Langley. The gas attendant reported a “distressed adult female” asking for help. The woman, who required first aid, directed police toward the hotel, police said.
Following an investigation, police stated they charged Stephens with assault. In July, Stephens was scheduled to appear in court on the Langley charges but failed to attend and a Canada-wide warrant was issued for her arrest, police said.
As police probed the case they say they uncovered multiple alleged offences in multiple locations. Assistance was provided by: Surrey RCMP, Vancouver Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit, RCMP E Division Behavioural Sciences Unit, RCMP Digital Forensic Services, and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) Interview Team.
"If you or a loved one are a victim of human trafficking, or you believe someone else is, please know you are not alone and there is help available," said Moir.
Stephens remains in custody facing the following charges, which remain unproven in court:
- trafficking in persons - Sec. 279.01
- material benefit – trafficking a person under 18 years – Sec. 279.02 (two counts)
- material benefit from sexual services of a person under 18 years – Sec. 286.1
- procuring – person under 18 years - Sec. 286.3 (two counts)
- forcible confinement - Sec. 279(2)
- assault causing bodily harm - Sec. 267 (b)
- assault with a weapon - Sec. 267(a) (two counts)
- utter threats - Sec. 264.1
- trafficking of a person under 18 Years - Sec. 279.011
- material benefit from sexual services - Sec. 286.2
- advertising sexual services - Sec. 286.4
Furthermore, in a separate case via Surrey RCMP, Stephens as well as Ellen Yvonne Chase and are each charged with unlawful confinement, robbery, assault causing bodily harm, and assault with a weapon. These four offences are alleged to have occurred from July 4, 2023 to July 6, 2023 in Surrey.
Stephens and Chase are scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court Jan. 3 to fix hearing dates.
This article was updated Dec. 22 with new information about charges via Surrey RCMP
