In May 2023, officers of the South Simcoe Police Service responded to a call for service in which a female reported she was being held against her will at a residence in the Town of Innisfil. The victim reported that she was being exploited for the purpose of sex trafficking. Uniform officers were able to locate the victim where she was removed from the situation and taken to a place of safety. During the investigation, the female reported that she was also sexually assaulted by one of the male suspects involved in trafficking her.
The Criminal Investigative Services – Crimes Against Persons Unit continued the investigation and began to identify the suspects involved. As the investigation progressed over the following six months, investigators identified additional victims. The investigation became known as, Project Chameleon.
On November 1, 2023, officers from South Simcoe Police, Barrie Police and York Regional Police, executed search warrants at properties in the Town of Innisfil and the Town of Newmarket as part of Project Chameleon. As a result of the searches and the ongoing investigation, three (3) individuals were arrested and charged with human trafficking offences, sexual services offences, and drug-related offences.
As part of their investigation, police obtained a warrant for a fourth suspect related to further charges of human trafficking and sexual services offences. In late November 2023, this accused turned themselves into police.
In December 2023, three additional suspects were arrested and charged with human trafficking offences and sexual services offences.
A total of seven suspects were identified, arrested, and charged as part of Project Chameleon.
In February 2024, one of the accused who was charged with drug offences had their charges withdrawn upon entering into a Peace Bond for twelve months.
On June 3, 2026, following a ten-week trial at the Barrie Courthouse, four of the accused were found guilty and convicted of the offences listed below.
Tyrone DIAS (age 40) of Newmarket:
- Trafficking in Persons – S.279.01 of the Criminal Code x 3
- Material Benefit from the Trafficking of Persons – S.279.02 of the Criminal Code x 2
- Procuring (Sexual Services) – S.286.3(1) of the Criminal Code x 2
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services – S.286.2(1) of the Criminal Code x 2
Jashyna SINGH (age 32) of Mississauga:
- Trafficking in Persons – S.279.01 of the Criminal Code x 3
- Material Benefit from the Trafficking of Persons – S.279.02 of the Criminal Code x 2
- Procuring (Sexual Services) – S.286.3(1) of the Criminal Code x 2
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services – S.286.2(1) of the Criminal Code x 2
Joseph CARVALHO (age 46) of Newmarket:
- Trafficking in Persons – S.279.01 of the Criminal Code x 1
- Material Benefit from the Trafficking of Persons – S.279.02 of the Criminal Code x 2
- Procuring (Sexual Services) – S.286.3(1) of the Criminal Code x 2
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services – S.286.2(1) of the Criminal Code x 2
Oneil HOPKINSON (age 40) of Newmarket:
- Trafficking in Persons – S.279.01 of the Criminal Code x 2
- Material Benefit from the Trafficking of Persons – S.279.02 of the Criminal Code x 2
- Procuring (Sexual Services) – S.286.3(1) of the Criminal Code x 1
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services – S.286.2(1) of the Criminal Code x 1
- Sexual Assault – S.271 of the Criminal Code x 2
One of the accused plead guilty prior to the trial commencing and was convicted of the offences listed below.
Edgar MARTINEZ (age 39) of Innisfil:
- Trafficking in Persons – S.279.01 of the Criminal Code x 1
- Sexual Assault – S.271 of the Criminal Code x 1
The last remaining accused involved in Project Chameleon is scheduled to stand trial later in June.
Tyrone DIAS and Jashyna SINGH are scheduled to stand trial for drug offences related to Project Chameleon in November 2026.
The South Simcoe Police Service would like to thank the Barrie Police Service and the York Regional Police Service for the assistance they provided during the investigation. Additionally, the South Simcoe Police Service would like to thank Assistant Crown Attorney Cailtin Downing of the Provincial Human Trafficking Prosecution Team for her professionalism, dedication, and commitment to obtaining justice for the survivors of human trafficking.
PR23010823
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Media Contact: Samah Othman, Corporate Communications Specialist
Email: samah.othman@southsimcoepolice.ca