Man arrested in Ontario is charged with human trafficking in Halifax

A man arrested in Ontario over the weekend was arraigned in Halifax Provincial Court on Tuesday on charges of pimping.

Edward Duane Garinger, 49, of no fixed address, faces a single charge of human trafficking, obtaining someone to provide sexual services for a fee, receiving material benefit from sexual services, advertising of sexual services and two counts of violation of a recognition.

Halifax Regional Police announced the charges on Tuesday, saying they had received a report in March about human trafficking in the area.

Members of the HRP-RCMP integrated human tracking team identified Garinger as a suspect, a press release said, and he was apprehended in the Niagara region by Ontario police.

Team members traveled to Ontario on Monday and transported Garinger to Halifax to face charges.

Garinger has also been referred to as Edward Morrison and Ted Morrison, police said. The offenses would have been committed between January and March of this year and would involve a woman.

The identity of the alleged victim is protected by a publication ban.

Prosecutor Josie McKinney told the court on Tuesday that she opposed Garinger’s release. Defense attorney Bernie Thibault said Garinger was not ready to seek bail and needs some time to develop a release plan.

Thibault asked for a July 4th bail hearing. In the meantime, Garinger will be incarcerated at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth.

Judge Christine Driscoll ordered Garinger to have no contact with the prosecution and two other women who are potential key witnesses.

“Police are concerned that there may be additional victims and are encouraging them or anyone with information about human trafficking to contact police,” the HRP press release said.

“The integrated human trafficking team wants victims of human trafficking to know that the police are there to help. Our priority is the safety of the victims. Members of the human trafficking team will work with community partners to support victims, address their specific needs and bring them to safety.

“Victims will be treated with dignity and respect and their safety will remain our primary goal. We want to assure victims that the decision to participate in the investigation is theirs and that we will respect their wishes.”