Cochrane RCMP announced an arrest today in a historic sex trafficking case.
At a press conference Nov. 13 RCMP outlined the arrest of a Cochrane resident who is charged with human trafficking dating back 20 years.
Sgt. Matt Pumphrey of Cochrane RCMP’s General Investigations Section, explained that an investigation into potential a sex trafficking case was initiated in early February of this year.
“The complainant who came forward reported that she had been the victim of human and sex trafficking at the hands of a male she had met over an online dating site between the years of 2004 and 2007 in Cochrane, Alberta,” Pumphrey explained. “After a brief consensual relationship, the male began to traffic her online for monetary gain.
“The male exploited nude photos of the victim, placing them on the internet site, where other males would then contact the site to arrange for sexual services. The male would then drive the victim to the arranged location to earn a way to collect the money, and then drive the victim to other appointments.”
The investigation spanned nine months, where the Cochrane RCMP General Investigations Section identified other victims of this crime. Through their statements, Cochrane RCMP were able to corroborate the allegations against the male.
On Nov. 7, 47-year-old Cochrane resident Darren Routhier was charged with human trafficking, receiving financial benefits from the trafficking of a person, sexual assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement, and extortion.
After a judicial interim release hearing, Routhier was released on the conditions to have no contact with the victims of this investigation alongside other conditions.
Routhier is scheduled to appear in Cochrane’s Alberta Court of Justice on Nov. 26.
“I would also like to say that there has been an increased awareness on the topic of human trafficking in Alberta, and police are getting better trained to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and using our trauma-informed, victim centred approach, putting the needs of our clients and those victims first,” Pumphrey said. “As we have seen through this investigation human trafficking is not just something that happens elsewhere. It can and is happening all around us.
“Survivors who have been exploited or trafficked are encouraged to come forward with these kinds of allegations of when or where they occurred.”
Paul Brandt, founder of Not in My City and the co-chair of the governing board for the Alberta Centre to End Human Trafficking in Persons (ACETIP), commended the Cochrane RCMP for their work.
“Your dedication, perseverance, and efforts are greatly appreciated,” he said. “Not only have you provided the opportunity for recovery of victims of this horrific crime, you’ve also worked to hold the perpetrators accountable. We thank you for that.”
He outlines that ACETIP envisions a future free from human trafficking and the devastating effects on Albertans.
“It exists to unite and empower our community, to disrupt and prevent human trafficking, and to help those who’ve experienced it to exit and rebuild their lives.” Brandt said. “We applaud the efforts of Cochrane RCMP, and look forward to work alongside them, and all of our law enforcement partners and frontline agency colleagues.”
Brandt said that for foreign victims of human trafficking in Alberta, Not in My City is looking to expand their services for human trafficking victims via multiple language translations of their training and awareness programs.
“We work closely with translation organizations, to make sure that the message of the realities of human trafficking in Canada are available in a variety of languages,” he explained. “One of the things that we’re actually doing is using AI to be able to do that too. As a singer and someone who regularly uses my voice for a living, we can clone my voice and have AI speak in my voice in over 200 languages.
“[It’s} absolutely amazing that this is starting to be available with technology, so there’s really less and less barriers, from a language standpoint, to reaching new Canadians.”
Brandt said that it is often common for newcomers to not expect that human trafficking can take place in Canada. Through the work of Not in My City and ACETIP, he hopes to make everyone fully aware of the dangers of human trafficking.
For anyone who has been a victim of human trafficking, both Pumphrey and Brandt outline that they should reach out to local authorities for assistance.
“The trauma of human trafficking cannot be understated, and if you or someone you know needs assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out, and we can put you in contact with people that can help,” Pumphrey said.