St. Thomas Police cruiser. (Photo by Miranda Chant, BlackburnNews.com)St. Thomas Police cruiser. (Photo by Miranda Chant, BlackburnNews.com)
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St. Thomas man charged in sex trafficking case

A St. Thomas man is facing charges after an investigation into allegations of sex trafficking dating back eight years.

The St. Thomas Police Service announced the charges against 59-year-old Eugene Andre Francois of St. Thomas on Tuesday. According to police, a months-long investigation began after a woman told police she had been trafficked for several months in 2013 when she was a minor.

On May 27, police arrested Francois and searched his Talbot Street apartment. He is now charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation, trafficking in persons under the age of 18, acquiring material benefits resulting from trafficking in persons, and possession of child pornography.

"Investigators suspect there may be other victims," police said in a statement released Tuesday. "Eugene Francois is known to have provided music lessons in the city and had regular contact with minors."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the St. Thomas Police Service at 519-631-1224 or submit an anonymous tip online to www.stthomascrimestoppers.ca refer to case #ST21002500.

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