Bob Mitchell

p. B3.

Brothel bust exposes video camera

Police say pictures may have been taken, posted on the Internet

Peel Region police say they have discovered a hidden video camera after raiding a Mississauga bawdy house last week.

And investigators say there's a chance customers having sex may have had their pictures videotaped and possibly posted on the Internet.

"At this point we're not sure what we've got except that we know people entering the apartment were videotaped," said Inspector John Nielsen of Peel's morality bureau.

"There wasn't any video equipment in the bedroom when we conducted a search warrant but we don't know if there had been at some other time.

"We've seized a computer system and disks. It's going to take some time to get through all of them to confirm sex acts were taped," Nielsen said. "So anybody who visited this place should be conscious of the fact they may have been videotaped."

Police are also probing whether any of the customers of the apartment bordello are victims of extortion as a result of being photographed.

"We also want people to be aware that with a video camera set up, there is a chance extortion could also be involved. We'd like to hear from anybody who may have been victimized this way."

"The public should be well aware of the risks when they go into a place like this. In addition to finding yourself on the Internet performing a sex act, it also lends itself to extortion down the road."

Police aren't sure how long the bawdy house has been operating but clients found out about its location through companionship advertisements in newspapers.

"People would respond to the ads and they would be directed to the apartment," Nielsen said. "This was strictly business location. He was an independent contractor."

Acting on complaints, undercover officers went to the apartment bordello and discovered the hidden video camera. They had been investigating the premises for about two months.

Morality bureau officers then raided the apartment at 4450 Tucana Court in Mississauga last Thursday and the Mississauga residence of the brothel's alleged operator.

Charged with possession of a controlled substance, keeping a common bawdy house, procuring for the purpose of prostitution, attempt to procure for the purpose of prostitution, and living off the avails of prostitution is Timothy Mark Robinson, 34, of Kingsbridge Garden Circle.

Two Toronto women were charged as being inmates of a bawdy house and a Cobourg man was charged with being found in a common bawdy house.