Man, 50, gets bail on Halifax human trafficking charges

HALIFAX, N.S. — A man who was arrested in Ontario in June and brought back to Nova Scotia to face human trafficking charges has been released on bail with strict conditions after posting a $3,000 cash deposit.

Edward Duane Garinger, 50, of no fixed address is charged with human trafficking, receiving material benefit from human trafficking, procuring someone to provide sexual services for consideration, receiving material benefit from sexual services, advertising sexual services and breaching two recognizances from December 2001, almost 22 years ago.

Halifax Regional Police allege the pimping-related offences were committed in Halifax between Jan. 20 and March 31 of this year. The identity of the alleged victim, a woman, is protected by a publication ban.

Police announced charges against Garinger on June 27, saying they had received a report in March of human trafficking that was occurring in the Halifax area.

Members of the HRP-RCMP integrated human trafficking team identified Garinger as a suspect, a news release said, and he was picked up in the Niagara region by Ontario police.

Garinger also goes by the names Edward Morrison and Ted Morrison, police said.

He was in custody for more than 10 weeks until the Crown consented to his release on negotiated conditions in Halifax provincial court Thursday.

Judge Kelly Serbu placed Garinger on house arrest at an address on Highway 224 in Upper Musquodoboit and ordered him to remain in Nova Scotia and have an electronic monitoring device installed within 24 hours of his release.

The monitoring company must provide police with the information they need to track his location by GPS. If the GPS tracking unit breaks or malfunctions, Garinger must notify police immediately.

Garinger is prohibited from having contact with the complainant and another woman and from being within 25 metres of their homes, schools or workplaces.

He has an exception to his house arrest for regularly scheduled employment with a Bedford moving company between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

There are also exceptions for medical emergencies and appointments, legal commitments and four hours every Sunday afternoon for the purpose of attending to personal needs.

Garinger, who is represented by Dartmouth lawyer Leslie Hogg, pleaded not guilty to the charges last month. The case is due back in court Thursday for the setting of trial dates.