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Escort from Ottawa says he brought her to an Airbnb in Sudbury for sex work
Published Mar 01, 2026 • 3 minute read
An Ottawa man has been acquitted of a human trafficking charge that Greater Sudbury Police laid more than two years ago. FileArticle content
An Ottawa man has been acquitted of a human trafficking charge that Greater Sudbury Police laid more than two years ago.
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“I’m not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt Mr. (Raheim) Geddes engaged in conduct for the purpose of engaging or facilitating in the exploitation of (the alleged victim),” said Ontario Court Justice Caroline Thibault in her decision at the Sudbury Courthouse. “I can’t sufficiently rely on (her) evidence to conclude proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”
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Geddes, 28, heard Justice Thibault’s decision by Zoom link from the North Bay Jail, where he was in custody. Thibault had reserved her decision following a trial.
The woman cannot be identified due to a publication ban.
An independent escort in Ottawa, the woman testified she had contacted Geddes, who was a friend of hers, after her rental car had been stolen on Dec. 19, 2024.
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Geddes picked the woman up but said he had to make a number of deliveries before they went to a condominium in Gatineau, Que., that she was interested in renting from him.
The pair travelled to such cities as Montreal, Cornwall and Toronto before ending up at an Airbnb in Sudbury that Geddes was renting.
During the trip, the woman put $30 worth of gasoline into Geddes’ rental pickup truck. She also drove at times while he was sleeping.
Upon arrival early in the morning in Sudbury, Geddes slept on the couch while the woman slept in the bedroom. The next day, Geddes prepared food for them.
During the stay, Geddes allegedly told the woman she would now be working for him, with half of the money she made as an escort to be given to him.
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She refused.
Geddes was charged when the woman’s friend contacted
Greater Sudbury Police charged Geddes when the woman’s friend contacted them about the comments he allegedly made.
Geddes did not testify in his own defence.
The woman admitted in her testimony that she was high on crack cocaine and cocaine during the trip.
Justice Thibault said that when the woman refused the demand by Geddes, there were “no consequences for her saying no. There was no evidence of advertisements or sexual services provided or threats of enforcement by Geddes …
“There is no evidence Mr. Geddes produced any form of coercion and forced (the woman) to do things.”
The judge also said that “her evidence is not sufficiently reliable on some crucial points.”
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Thibault noted that the woman had access to her cellphone during the trip, including in Sudbury.
“At no point was she prohibited from exiting the rental truck,” said the judge.
Thibault also said that “I accept that (the woman) felt she was misled in travelling to Sudbury some five hours from Ottawa. I am not persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt Mr. Geddes intentionally misled her … While geographically far from her home, (the woman) had her phone throughout and was in contact with friends.”
The judge also said that “there is no evidence Mr. Geddes benefited or received any money. He did benefit from $30 in gas she paid for.”
Finally, Thibault said that “I do not find Mr. Geddes exercised control or influence in (the woman’s) mind.”
While Geddes was cleared of the human trafficking charge, he remains in custody. He was scheduled to appear in bail court at the Sudbury Courthouse to address charges of intimidation of a justice participant and failing to comply with a no-contact condition.
X: @HaroldCarmichae
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