Photo credit: Toronto Today
A convicted human trafficker from Toronto – who is facing a lengthy penitentiary stint – has been told by a judge that he will be sent to prison on his next court date after his original sentencing hearing was delayed.
Toronto Today reports that earlier this year, a jury in Barrie convicted Yohance Parsons on seven counts stemming from trafficking two young women from local hotels in the summer of 2022.
The case returned to a Barrie courtroom this week for what was supposed to be sentencing submissions, but the lawyer representing Parsons was not available.
Superior Court Justice Laura Bird reluctantly agreed to adjourn the case to January, when she will hear submissions and impose sentence the same day.
“Be prepared to step into custody,” Bird told Parsons, who attended Wednesday’s proceeding by video.
Parsons was convicted of seven counts, including two counts of human trafficking, as well as two counts of procuring, two counts of receiving a material benefit of sexual services, and a single count of advertising sexual services. He was acquitted of sexual assault against one of the victims.
Co-accused April Borgiani, also of Toronto, was found guilty of a reduced list of four charges, including two counts of procuring and receiving material benefit as well as advertising sexual services. Charges of human trafficking were withdrawn before reaching the jury.
Both victims, whose identities are covered by a publication ban, addressed the court by video.
“I wouldn’t wish what happened to me … on anyone,” said one woman, whose victim impact statement was read by her mother, who later added, “the good guys win, not you.”
The other victim also spoke of the devastating effect on her life in the wake of being trafficked by Parsons, who was aided by Borgiani.
“I don’t know if I ever will go back to the person I was before,” she told the court.
The trial heard that both women, who were in their early 20s at the time, travelled to Barrie from another city to provide sexual services at three south-end Barrie hotels.
They agreed to the arrangement at first, the trial heard, but grew leery and felt trapped after Parson began to exercise more control and kept a greater portion of their earnings.
One victim’s probation officer was made aware of the situation and alerted police. Charges against Parsons and Borgiani followed.
Sentencing submissions against Borgiani, who, until the guilty verdict, had no criminal record, proceeded on Wednesday. The Crown is proposing a two-year jail sentence, with the defence seeking a term of house arrest.
Borgiani declined an opportunity to address the court.
