(Dreamstime)

By Sheldon Spackman

2022 Investigation

Ponoka man ordered to stand trial in alleged human trafficking and sexual assault case

Oct 4, 2023 | 11:08 AM

A Ponoka man accused of human trafficking and sexual assault has been ordered to stand trial.

Christopher Becks, 37, was ordered to stand trial on Sept. 28, 2023, in Edmonton Court of Justice following a preliminary hearing. A trial date(s), however, have yet to be set.

Becks was ordered to stand trial on counts of trafficking in persons, material benefit, advertise sexual services, sexual assault, overcoming resistance to commission of an offence, and threats causing death. A charge of procuring was withdrawn.

It was in October 2022, when ALERT Human Trafficking received information that a man was targeting vulnerable women, many with no fixed address, in the Edmonton area.

“It’s our understanding that this man was actively searching out women who were struggling with addiction. He would lure these women to hotels by offering drugs, food, and a place to stay, then exploit them and force them into the sex trade, even taking them to other areas of the province,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Hayes, ALERT Human Trafficking, at the time of Beck’s arrest.

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On December 20, 2022, officials with ALERT say a search warrant was executed at a home in the Ottewell neighbourhood. The Edmonton Police Service assisted in the search warrant.

Becks was arrested and charged with seven counts.

“We believe that Becks has exploited more than a dozen women and we are asking these women to come forward. There’s a community of these women that he targets, and these women may better recognize him by the name ‘Bear’. We are here to help, but there’s only so much we can do with the intelligence we have collected thus far,” Hayes added, at the time of Becks arrest.

ALERT Human Trafficking unit is looking to identify and speak with additional victims and witnesses. Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to call the Edmonton Police Service or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Related: Preliminary hearing scheduled for Ponoka man accused of human trafficking

Related: ALERT charges Ponoka man with human trafficking and sexual assault related charges

(With files from Alessia Proietti)