A disturbing case alleging the recruiting of Okotoks teens into prostitution could be resolved by the end of the month.
Samantha Pedersen of High River is charged with three counts of trafficking persons under 18, two counts of living on the avails of prostitution, five counts of procuring persons under 18 and four counts of sexual exploitation of a young person.
RCMP were tipped off to young people being lured via social media and exploited by adults by a school resource teacher. The victims are between the ages of 13 and 16.
Officers at the time called it a “horrific possibility” that young girls could be lured into the sex trade. Child and Family Services and Foothills Victim Services are assisting the victims.
Pedersen was arrested in October and the case was back in Okotoks Provincial Court on April 28.
Pedersen’s lawyer, Steve Bitzer, said he is in case resolution discussions with the assigned Crown prosecutor, Brian Holtby.
“It’s complicated and Mr. Holtby and I are working on it,” Bitzer said. “This is an extremely serious case.”
Holtby was not in court last week, but sent a note saying he would like the case to proceed.
Bitzer said he did not want to enter a plea yet and waived his right to challenge the length of time the case has taken to get to trial – known as a Jordan application – and asked for the month-long adjournment to confer with his client.
Pedersen did not appear in court last week.
The case will be back in Okotoks Provincial Court, possibly for resolution, on May 26.
Pedersen is out on bail and living in High River under house arrest. She is also facing an assault charge in Calgary that occurred after she was charged with luring.
