A man already facing a significant prison term for human trafficking has been arrested *again*, this time within the walls of the jail where he awaited sentencing. Dave-Cash Paul, 37, now confronts a new wave of charges alleging an even more disturbing pattern of exploitation – the pimping of minors.
The arrest occurred Wednesday at the St-Jérôme Detention Centre, a shocking development as Paul was already scheduled for sentencing arguments in November. His initial conviction, handed down in June, stemmed from exploiting a woman, demanding she generate a minimum of $2,000 daily, and ultimately profiting over $100,000 from her forced labor.
That initial conviction alone carried a mandatory minimum sentence of four years. However, the latest allegations paint a far broader and more sinister picture of Paul’s criminal activity, stretching back over eighteen years and spanning across the province.
Investigators allege Paul engaged in human trafficking, profited from the commercialization of sexual acts, and even committed armed assault. Disturbingly, the new charges specifically involve victims under the age of eighteen, escalating the severity of the accusations dramatically.
Authorities believe Paul’s network of exploitation extended beyond those already identified. He allegedly utilized social media to target vulnerable women, and employed other individuals as accomplices to coerce victims into prostitution – a calculated and predatory system.
The scale of the alleged crimes has triggered the deployment of the Integrated Major Crime Investigation Management Structure (GECS), a unified command bringing together Quebec police forces. This coordinated effort aims to swiftly identify all victims and ensure Paul is held accountable for the full extent of his actions.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are actively seeking information about Paul and his activities. Anyone with knowledge that could assist the case is urged to contact the Criminal Information Centre confidentially.
This case underscores the insidious nature of human trafficking and the relentless efforts required to dismantle these criminal networks and protect the vulnerable.
