North Bay Police are providing more details on a human trafficking investigation from early November 2019.
North Bay Police say 25-year-old Arnold Kassongo of Gatineau, Quebec was arrested by Ottawa Police Service and returned to North Bay on the strength of a North Bay Police arrest warrant on June 10.
See related: Human trafficking charges laid after Lakeshore hotel ruckus
Back in December of 2019, police say an investigation has revealed that the accused originally provided police with a false name and he faced numerous charges at the time.
Kassongo remains in custody facing an additional 26 criminal charges in addition to the original 8 criminal charges. The new charges include;
- One Count Sexual Assault;
- Five Counts of Trafficking In Persons;
- Five Counts of Material Benefit of Trafficking in Persons;
- Three Counts of Procuring;
- Two Counts of Trafficking in a Schedule I Substances;
- Five Counts of Advertising Sexual Services;
- One Count of Assault;
- Two Counts of Breach of a Court Order;
- One Count of Obstruct Justice; and
- One Count of Threatening.
The continued investigation involved the identification of an additional female victim.
The accused will next appear in a North Bay Courtroom on September 1, 2020.
The lead investigator, Detective Constable Wall of the North Bay Police, believes there are additional victims involved in this investigation and asks anyone with information that may assist to call the North Bay Police Service at 705-497-5555 and select option 9 to speak to a police officer.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, contact Near North Crime Stoppers, by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by submitting a tip online at nearnorthcrimestoppers.com.
