La Crete man charged with human trafficking of a minor

A man from La Crete, Alberta, a small, largely Mennonite town in the very northern part of the province, has been charged with human trafficking of a minor in addition to the possession of illegal substances. 

John Michael Neufeld was arrested while accompanied by another adult and a minor. 

The first interaction took place on Tuesday, May 26, when a High Level Peace Officer pulled over Neufeld’s vehicle for driving in a careless manner. Due to the signs of criminal activity displayed by Neufeld, the RCMP were called in to assist in the investigation. 

The adult and the minor were sent to the hospital and then later released. They were then provided with food and shelter, and transportation arrangements back to their home community and families were made by authorities.

Neufeld was charged with the following crimes: 

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (morphine)

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (heroin)

• Possession of a controlled substance (morphine)

• Possession of a controlled substance (heroin)

• Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)

• Human trafficking of a minor/person under the age of 18

After his interim judicial hearing on May 27, Neufeld was released from police custody on the condition that he not make any contact with minors. 

On May 28th, the High Level Peace Officers alerted the RCMP that the adult and minor involved did not report to their scheduled transport home. That afternoon, the adult was safely located by the authorities. The minor, however, had returned to Neufeld’s custody. 

On May 29th, the RCMP located Neufeld in High Level and brought him into custody again. Following this, another vehicle was stopped in relation to Neufeld’s arrest and two more individuals were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act for the unlawful sale of cannabis. Weapons and assorted drug instruments were also found in their possession. 

Following these events, the police located the missing youth in a camper trailer south of High Level. This minor is now receiving treatment and assistance at a safe facility. 

Now in police custody, Neufeld is facing additional charges of human trafficking of a minor and two counts of failure to comply with conditions of a release order.

He is scheduled to appear in High Level Provincial Court on June 8 for a bail hearing.