Police lay several charges in human trafficking case

Police lay charges in human trafficking case

A man faces human trafficking, weapons and additional charges after an investigation by the General Investigation and Special Enforcement Sections of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division.

On December 16 officers were called to investigate an assault that had occurred the night before. A seventeen-year-old female youth had reported being threatened and repeatedly assaulted by a twenty-one-year old Cole Harbour man.  During the course of the investigation the female youth disclosed that the man directed and influenced her, for the purpose of prostitution.

Dante Warnell Cromwell has been charged with the following offences and is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court today:

  • Sexual assault 271
  • Assault 266 cc
  • Assault with a weapon 267(a) cc
  • Assault causing bodily harm 267(b) cc
  • Unlawful confinement 279(2) cc
  • Choking to overcome resistance 246(a) cc
  • Uttering threats to cause bodily harm 264.1(1)(a) cc
  • Uttering threats to property 264.1(1)(b) cc
  • Pointing a firearm 87 cc
  • Carrying a concealed weapon 90(1) cc
  • Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle 94(1) cc
  • Unsafe Storage 86(2) cc x 3
  • Possession of a Weapon for a dangerous purpose 88(1) cc x 3
  • Possession of a Restricted Firearm with ammunition 95(1) cc x 2
  • Unauthorized possession of a weapon 91(1) cc x 2
  • Use firearm in the commission of an offence 85(1)(a) cc
  • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon 92(1) cc
  • Tampering with a serial number 108(1)(a)
  • Unsafe storage of a firearm with ammunition 86(1) cc
  • Advertising Offence 286.4 cc
  • Material Benefit 282.2 cc
  • Procuring Offence 286.3 cc
  • Trafficking in Persons under (18) 279.011 cc
  • Material Benefit (Trafficking) 279.02 cc

Human trafficking is an offence that involves controlling, forcing, intimidating or deceiving a person in order to exploit them through various forms of sexual exploitation or forced labour. This crime can happen in communities of all sizes and unfortunately Halifax is not immune. If you have any information pertaining to this case or other potential human trafficking matters, please call 902-490-5020 or anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

For additional information on human trafficking please see the website at http://halifax.ca/human-trafficking