Woman Charged in Human Trafficking Investigation

Following a two-month investigation, the Calgary Police Service Vice Unit has charged a woman in relation to a human trafficking investigation.

On Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, the CPS received a request from the RCMP, on behalf of a family member, to check on the welfare of an 18-year-old woman believed to be in Calgary. Shortly after, officers located the young woman at a local bus station, at which time she alleged she had been held against her will and forced to act as a sex-trade worker since the fall.

It is believed the woman arrived in Calgary in October 2013 for a job and was looking for a female roommate. The victim met a woman who offered her inexpensive rent, which she accepted. After a short time living together, it is alleged the home owner began slipping drugs into the alcoholic beverages the two were consuming together. The homeowner then allegedly took inappropriate photos of the victim without her knowledge and later then used those photos to extort the victim into participating as a sex-trade worker.

During the subsequent investigation, another victim came forward alleging she had been the victim of voyeurism and extortion. Investigators were able to connect both offences to the same individual.

Amanda Kathleen MCGEE, 31, of Calgary, is facing nine charges including:

• trafficking in persons
• administering a noxious substance to aggrieve or annoy
• live on the avails of prostitution
• keeper of a common bawdy house
• sexual assault with a weapon
• forcible confinement
• procure a person to become a prostitute
• extortion
• voyeurism

MCGEE will next appear in court on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.