Alison Langley Reporter

Crime

Niagara restaurateur convicted of child luring

A Niagara restaurateur arrested for child luring says his business is on the brink of collapse due to social media backlash.

Allan Choi, 52, was one of 13 men arrested between January and February 2024 at a Niagara Falls hotel after the Niagara Regional Police human trafficking unit launched an investigation to combat the sexual exploitation of underage females.

Choi was sentenced to nine months of house arrest after he pleaded guilty in an Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Monday to charges of child luring and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services. He said the unnamed restaurant he operates with his wife has experienced a 50 per cent drop in business after police issued a press release regarding his arrest.

"We are now fighting for our survival," he told Judge Janet Booy.

"My arrest was displayed on the media and social media which led people to link our business with human trafficking which is ridiculous."

"This is so unfair to my wife and family and all of our employees."

In the press release issued in February 2024, NRP Chief Bill Fordy stated the multiple arrests send a strong message that the predatory behaviours associated with human trafficking will not be tolerated in Niagara.

"We are committed to fighting human trafficking through intelligence-gathering and working co-operatively with law enforcement and community partners to support victims and enforcement efforts," the release said.

The defendant's lawyer told court some people seized on the human-trafficking reference in the press release, which led to a storm of angry social media posts, many calling for a boycott of the restaurant.

"All of the comments were full of obviously very damaging comments, and also threats to his safety and to the business as well," the lawyer said, adding his client no longer deals with customers and only attends the establishment after hours.

Choi was arrested Jan. 31 at a Fallsview Boulevard hotel after he arranged to meet with a person he believed was a 16-year-old girl.

The female who had advertised escort services online was actually an undercover police officer.

While the online ad stated the woman was 20, court heard, during text conversations the "escort" stated several times she was actually 16.

"(He) made no attempt to stop communication," said assistant Crown attorney Jordan Lacelle.

"He confirmed he was fine with the age."

The men charged during the undercover operation ranged in age from 20 to 60. Most were from Niagara, with one from Windsor.

"It is very unfortunate in our community how offences of child luring have increased dramatically as technology makes the facilitation of these sexual offences so much easier," the judge noted.

The defendant was also placed on probation for two years and his name will appear on the national sex offender registry for 20 years.

"The remorse and guilt I feel is beyond words," he told the judge.

"I'll be dealing with the consequences of my actions long after the sentence is served."