Dejaun Clarke, 19, of Toronto. (Toronto Police photo)
The Toronto Police Service has made a series of arrests in a human trafficking investigation that allegedly targeted underage girls, with a third suspect now in custody following the execution of multiple search warrants.
The investigation, led by the Human Trafficking Unit, began in June 2025. Police allege that the accused individuals used a combination of deception, coercion, and control to traffic a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old female victim.
It is alleged that the money earned by the victims was surrendered to the accused and was kept by them,” stated a police release. The victims were allegedly forced into the sex trade, with the accused creating and managing online ads for sexual services, which included taking sexualized pictures of the minors. The victims were then transported to various hotels in the Toronto area to meet clients.
The investigation initially led to the arrests of two individuals in August.
Tyrique Harmer, 22, of Hamilton, and Maria Toth-Taddeo, 21, of Toronto, were both arrested on Thursday, August 14, 2025. They face a lengthy list of identical charges, including:
- Two counts each of Trafficking in Persons Under Eighteen Years by Recruiting and by Exercising Control
- Multiple counts related to child pornography, advertising sexual services, and materially benefiting from the trafficking of a minor
- Weapons and drug-related charges
Both appeared in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on the day of their arrest.
The investigation deepened on Thursday, September 18, 2025, when investigators executed three search warrants at two addresses and on a motor vehicle in Toronto. This led to the arrest of a third suspect.
Dejaun Clarke, 19, of Toronto, was arrested and faces the same core trafficking charges, along with additional severe counts of Sexual Assault and Sexual Interference with a Person Under 16 Years of Age.
Investigators believe that there may be more victims, said in a public appeal. Any other victims are encouraged to contact Police.
An image of one of the accused has been released to the public to assist the investigation.
Authorities are reminding the public that human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, or controlling a person for the purpose of exploitation. Victims can be of any gender or citizenship status and are often coerced through threats and violence.
Police encourage all affected individuals to report human trafficking occurrences, stressing that support services and exit strategies are available regardless of whether a victim chooses to proceed with criminal charges.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Toronto Police Human Trafficking Unit at 416-808-4838 or humantrafficking@torontopolice.on.ca. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.
