Charges include human trafficking, child pornography and voyeurism
Cape Breton man Paul Raymond Theriault Jr. faces dozens of sex crimes following a multi-agency investigation by the Nova Scotia Provincial Human Trafficking Unit, the Cape Breton Regional Police Service and the Nova Scotia RCMP.
Theriault Jr., 45, from Dominion, was arrested and remains in custody.
Seventeen survivors have come forward and reported incidents between 2008 and 2023. Police say there may be more victims
On Dec. 6, investigators, including members of the Provincial Human Trafficking Unit, the Cape Breton Regional Police Service and the RCMP, arrested Theriault Jr. at a home in Dominion. The arrest was part of an investigation that began in 2021, when several victims reported that a man was targeting females in the Cape Breton area.
Through the course of the investigation, officers uncovered evidence that females were being video recorded without their consent and that the videos were being posted and sold online.
On Dec. 7, Theriault Jr. was charged with 64 offences including:
-Human Trafficking (2 counts)
-Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration (3 counts)
-Communicate for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services (4 counts)
-Procuring (2 counts)
-Sexual Assault (10 counts)
-Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm
-Publication of Intimate Images Without Consent (11 counts)
-Voyeurism (4 counts)
-Extortion
-Sexual Interference
-Possession of Child Pornography (2 counts)
-Trafficking in Substances (11 counts)
-Administer Noxious Thing (6 counts)
-Luring a Child by Telecommunications (4 counts)
-Invitation to Sexual Touching
-Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
On Dec. 18, police announced an additional eight charges including:
-Possession of a prohibited weapon knowing it was prohibited
-Human Trafficking
-Material Benefit from Human Trafficking
-Unlawful Confinement
-Sexual Assault
-Administer a Noxious Thing
-Obtain sexual services
-Procuring a person to provide sexual services
The additional charges were laid as a result of a survivor coming forward to police.
If you’re a survivor, know someone who may be a survivor, or have information related to the incidents, please contact your local police or RCMP detachment. Survivor supports are available, including through Victim Services.
If you’re being, or have been, trafficked, or believe someone you know is being trafficked, call the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Hotline at 902-449-2425 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
Note: The Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit is comprised of members of the Nova Scotia RCMP and Halifax Regional Police.
File # 2021-1599680
