Toronto Man, 42, Charged in Human Trafficking Probe; Police Say More Victims Possible

A 42-year-old Toronto man has been arrested and charged following a human trafficking investigation by the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), police said. Members of the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit executed a search warrant at the accused's Toronto home on November 2, 2026, and arrested him without incident.

What police allege

According to police, a female victim came forward in the summer of 2026 and reported that she had been exploited in the sex trade between June 2024 and October 2025. The Human Trafficking Unit then carried out what police described as an extensive investigation.

Police allege the accused recruited the victim through a mutual friend, forced her into the sex trade and exploited her across the Greater Toronto Area.

Charges

Jean Peralta Marseille, 42, of Toronto, is charged with:

• Trafficking in persons
• Material benefit from sexual services
• Procuring / exercising control
• Advertising sexual services
• Withholding or destroying identity documents
• Possession of a Schedule I substance (three counts)

Police noted that the allegations have not been proven in court.

Police believe there may be more victims

Investigators said they believe there may be further victims and have released an image of the accused.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5600.

Crime in Toronto

Toronto's Crime Severity Index was 54.99 in 2025, down 7.47% from the previous year, while its Violent Crime Severity Index was 71.57, according to Statistics Canada.