North Bay men caught up in TO hooker sting

Men from North Bay, Ottawa and Windsor were among 206 arrested and charged by the Toronto Police Service last week during a prostitution sting.

Toronto police say 206 men aged 17 to 70 were caught-up in Project Spin, which was initiated in west-end Toronto because of community complaints.

"We had received complaints from residents regarding sex trade workers using their backyards to service their clients," said Det. Howie Page, of the 14 Division Vice squad.

The operation targeted johns who were in the 14 and 11 Division areas looking for prostitutes.

Two of the arrested men were in Canada illegally and have been turned over to Canada Immigration for deportation.

Female undercover officers posing as prostitutes were placed in areas normally frequented by johns looking to pay for sex, Toronto police said.

As a result, police laid 221 criminal charges. These charges included Communicate for the Purpose of Obtaining the Sexual Services of a Prostitute and several drug-related offences.

Project Spin will remain ongoing due to the number of johns frequenting the community, police said.

Most of the men arrested will be appearing at Old City Hall on the 21st and 23rd of July, 2004 in courtroom 122.