Bust linked to local sex trade

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This article was published 07/11/2014 (3959 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The arrest of a Winnipeg man accused of pimping out a woman in Brandon has unveiled an ongoing local investigation into a prostitution ring working out of mid-level motels in the city.

Dale Richard Aymont, 43, of Winnipeg, was arrested by the Winnipeg Police Service Thursday and faces a number of charges including human trafficking. 

WPS allege a man brought a 25-year-old woman to Brandon and forced her to work as an escort. The two met in Winnipeg and later traveled to Brandon in March 2014, when the woman began working as a prostitute until mid-October, according to police.

The man threatened her with violence should she not sell sexual services and he physically assaulted her at one point, Winnipeg police say. 

WPS Const. Eric Hofley said the victim had been living in Brandon permanently between March 2014 and mid-October, without a permanent place to live — likely living out of motels or hotels.

“I don’t think she resided anywhere,” Hofley said, “I think she was forced to live in different areas.”

The victim came forward to the WPS and investigators began looking into the allegations.

The Brandon Police Service took part in Winnipeg’s human trafficking investigation, but also continues to investigate reports of a city prostitution ring operating out of a number of motels. The ring was first reported to them in the summer, prompting an investigation that began on July 6.

On the first day of that investigation, police stopped a vehicle driven by a Winnipeg man that court records show is the same man now charged with human trafficking.

The driver was found to have crystal meth, local police say, however at the time of being pulled over, there was no evidence that he was linked to the prostitution ring, nor was he charged in connection with it.

Aymont remains in custody In Winnipeg. He also is charged with living on the avails of prostitution, assault and uttering threats. He’s presumed innocent, unless a court decides otherwise.

Aymont worked for Child and Family Services as a human resources consultant between 2010 and 2011. Southeast CFS says the man was fired because he was stealing employee data, CBC reported. 

The accused has a substantial online presence including a blog post in which he discusses Winnipeg’s historical relationship with prostitution entitled “The oldest profession – When Morality Meets The Modern World…Can They Co-exist?”

“Like abortion and capital punishment,” Aymont wrote, “this may forever be in the arena of ‘feeling’ rather than ‘fact’ while many of us may still be taking a wait-and-see position, I for one am looking forward to the continued debate.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, he previously worked for We Care Home Health Services as a regional manager of human resources in 2013 and 2014, though its not clear at which location.

Aymont lists civil rights, social action, human rights, politics and social services under “causes Dale cares about” on his LinkedIn profile.

Meanwhile, not much information is available about Brandon’s prostitution ring itself, such as the number of prostitutes and people involved, and BPS Staff Sgt. Dallas Lockhart said such details are part of the ongoing investigation.

However, he said it appears the prostitutes are all female. Details such as the age range of the females aren’t available at this time.

Lockhart said it appears that one of the methods used to advertise prostitutes was online through backpage.com. 

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