Four people have been convicted and a fifth has pleaded guilty following a major human trafficking investigation that began in Innisfil in 2023 and led to charges against seven individuals.
South Simcoe Police launched what became known as Project Chameleon after responding to a call in May 2023 from a woman who reported she was being held against her will at a residence in Innisfil and exploited for the purpose of sex trafficking. Police said the victim was safely removed from the situation and later disclosed she had also been sexually assaulted by one of the suspects.
The investigation continued for several months and identified additional victims. On November 1st, 2023, officers from South Simcoe Police, Barrie Police and York Regional Police executed search warrants at properties in Innisfil and Newmarket, resulting in multiple arrests and charges related to human trafficking, sexual services and drug offences.
Years later, and following a 10-week trial at the Barrie Courthouse, four accused were convicted on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026.
40-year-old Tyrone Dias of Newmarket has been found guilty of:
- Trafficking in Persons x 3
- Material Benefit from the Trafficking of Persons x 2
- Procuring (Sexual Services) x 2
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services x 2
32-year-old Jashyna Singh of Mississauga has been found guilty of:
- 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
46-year-old Joseph Carvalho of Newmarket has been found guilty of:
- Trafficking in Persons x 1
- Material Benefit from the Trafficking of Persons x 2
- Procuring (Sexual Services) x 2
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services x 2
40-year-old Oneil Hopkinson of Newmarket has been found guilty of:
- Trafficking in Persons x 2
- Material Benefit from the Trafficking of Persons x 2
- Procuring (Sexual Services) x 1
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services x 1
- Sexual Assault x 2
One of the accused plead guilty prior to the trial commencing and was convicted.
30-year-old Edgar Martinez of Innisfil has been found guilty of:
- 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.
Dias and Singh are also scheduled to stand trial in November 2026 on drug-related charges connected to Project Chameleon.
