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By Sheldon Spackman

2022 and 2023 Incidents

Ponoka man sentenced in sexual assault, human trafficking incidents

Mar 11, 2025 | 2:57 PM

A Ponoka man accused of human trafficking and sexual assault has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail.

Christopher Becks, 39, was sentenced in Edmonton Court of King’s Bench on March 5, 2025, to 2,007 days in jail minus 702 days of pre-trial custody, leaving him with 1,305 days (just over three-and-a-half years) left to serve.

He was also given a weapons prohibition, ordered to provide his DNA, and is subject to SOIRA (Sexual Offender Information Registration Act)

Becks plead guilty to five counts regarding two separate incidents. The first one taking place between July 1-16, 2022, where he plead guilty to charges of material benefit from sexual services and advertising sexual services.

The second incident taking place between Oct. 1-14, 2022, where he plead guilty to charges of trafficking in persons, sexual assault, and threats to cause death.

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Six other charges between the two incidents were withdrawn.

Becks, however, still has an upcoming jury trial scheduled in Wetaskiwin Court of King’s Bench from Sept. 8-12, 2025. He faces three charges in relation to that matter, including sexual assault, and two counts of fail to comply with a release order. Those charges stem from incidents between Sept. 19-Oct. 13, 2023, in Ponoka.

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,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Hayes, ALERT Human Trafficking, at the time of Becks’ arrest. “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.”

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 and Becks was arrested.

“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: Ponoka man accused of human trafficking and sexual assault, scheduled for sentencing

Related: Second jury trial scheduled for Ponoka man accused of human trafficking and sexual assault

Related: Jury trial scheduled for Ponoka man accused of human trafficking and sexual assault

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

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

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

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

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