An Ottawa man is facing human trafficking charges after police say he posed as a talent agent to lure teenaged girls into the sex trade.
Cameron Lyons, 37, is a volunteer equipment manager for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees football team, and a baseball umpire.
He is accused of initiating conversations over Facebook with two 14-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl, posing as a talent agent for “VIP Entertainment,” a false company, to lure them.
Police say the conversation would turn from modelling to a request to provide sexual services for money at parties and other events.
Investigators allege Lyons used several aliases on Facebook, including “Joe Howorth” of VIP Entertainment and “Steve DeBone.”
In a statement, a University of Ottawa spokeswoman said Lyons has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, and the university is cooperating with police.
Lyons is facing three counts of human trafficking under 18, three counts of child luring and two counts of procuring persons under 18 to provide sexual services.
He was arrested on Monday, has appeared in court and remains in custody.
Police believe other people may have been contacted in the past several years. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police human trafficking unit.
