Man allegedly lured vulnerable Edmonton women to hotels, forced them into sex trade: ALERT
Posted February 22, 2023 3:58 pm.
Last Updated February 22, 2023 4:03 pm.
A 37-year-old man was charged after he allegedly targeted vulnerable Edmonton-area women with addictions to force them into the sex trade.
And investigators believe there could be more alleged victims.
In October 2022 the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) got reports the suspect from Ponoka, Alta., was exploiting homeless women in Edmonton.
They allege he lured the women to hotels by offering drugs, food and a room, before forcing them into the sex trade – sometimes in other provinces.
Police say a search warrant was executed on a home in the Ottewell neighbourhood on Dec. 20, 2022.
Christopher Becks faces several charges including trafficking a person and sexual assault.
He’s on bail and will be back in court March 3.
“We believe that Becks has exploited more than a dozen women and we are asking these women to come forward,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Hayes. “There’s a community of these women that he targets, and these women may better recognize him by the name ‘Bear.’”
