A Mississauga man is facing human trafficking charges after Peel police say officers found an 18-year-old woman suffering from injuries following an assault at a hotel near Pearson airport on Saturday.

A 27-year-old Mississauga man was charged with assault in that case.

Police said further investigation revealed he had been exploiting the victim in the sex trade since last October, when she was a minor, controlling her movements and profiting as a result.

Jamar Ferguson is facing 22 charges including trafficking in persons under the age of 18, procuring a person under 18, exercising control and withholding or destroying documents to aid in human trafficking.

Peel police say investigators believe there may be more victims.

Ferguson was expected to appear in court for a bail hearing on Tuesday.

In mid-October, a wider investigation into human trafficking by Peel police, Toronto police, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Quebec Integrated Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario led to more than 300 charges being laid across 31 individuals.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Peel police organized crime unit at 905-453-2121 (ext. 3555), or Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Miriam Lafontaine is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @mirilafontaine

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