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A 24-year-old Brampton, Ont., man is facing multiple charges related to prostitution and carrying a prohibited firearm in London.
London police say they were doing routine outreach and safety checks at a hotel on Exeter Road in the city’s south end on Friday, when they found an online advertisement with “indicators of a possible third-party involvement” and planned to meet with the female advertiser.
Officers with the service’s Human Trafficking Unit allege they found a man facilitating the sexual service and caught him leaving the hotel shortly thereafter. Once police approached, the man ran away but, police say, he left a loaded Glock 22 handgun in the hallway.
Police arrested the suspect and investigators determined the man didn’t have a valid licence or registration for the firearm. Police allege the man was facilitating the female’s activities in the sex trade.
Police said they also seized two cellphones and a “quantity” of Canadian currency as part of the investigation. The 24-year-old has been charged with multiple offences including:
Unauthorized possession of a firearm. Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon. Possess restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence. Possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon or prohibited device. Possess loaded regulated firearm. 3 counts of handle firearm, weapon prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner. Carry a concealed weapon. Procuring / exercising control.Material benefit from sexual servicesAdvertising another person’s sexual services.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers. The accused remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on Monday.