Woman accused of trafficking girls, advertising sexual services
A Dieppe woman is facing four charges including trafficking young people to exploit them
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A Dieppe woman is being held on allegations of trafficking girls.
Saphira Bastien, 18, also known as Sassou according to court documents, appeared in Moncton provincial court for a bail hearing on Friday by video conference from the women’s jail in Miramichi. Lawyer Daniel Gallant was in court for her and adjourned the case to April 26.
Bastien was arrested earlier this week and charged with two counts of trafficking girls under the age of 18. The charges specify she allegedly exercised control over the movements of the girls for the purpose of facilitating their exploitation in Dieppe between April 9-14 in one charge and April 9-16 in the other.
Bastien is also charged with making child pornography by taking photos for a sexual purpose of a person who’s under 18 between April 9-14 and knowingly advertising an offer online to provide sexual services.
The Crown objected to the accused’s release during her first appearance and a publication ban was put in place to prevent the reporting of anything that would identify the complainants in the case. On Friday the prosecutor asked for a no contact order with a long list of people, which the judge imposed.
Cpl. Hans Ouellette said there are still conversations taking place with investigators and information is being verified and reviewed before it can be released, likely next week.
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