A NSW man will appear before Armidale Local Court tomorrow to face slavery and sexual servitude offences laid by the Australian Federal Police.
The 40-year-old Yarrowyck man was arrested by plain-clothed AFP tactical members outside an Armidale Bunnings store.
“AFP human trafficking investigators have been assessing allegations of potential sexual servitude offences by the man under Operation Saintes,” the AFP said in a statement today.
“The investigation progressed when detailed information regarding the alleged actions of the man was provided to the AFP.”
Police allege the man manipulated an alleged victim between 2012 to 2015 for a so-called “cult”, and the victim was later subjected to ongoing physical, sexual and psychological abuse and degradation.
“It is alleged the woman was engaged in prostitution under the man’s coercive control and did not receive payment for her involvement in these activities,” police said.
“It is further alleged the woman was physically assaulted by the man, and upon expressing wishes to leave, was subjected to death threats.”
Police say their enquiries to date reveal that the man refers to himself as the patriarch of a group known as the ‘House of Cadifor’.
It is alleged the man was living with six women at a property on the outskirts of Armidale. The women had signed documents known as slavery contracts, and were in the alleged ‘possession’ of the man.
“The AFP urges the media and the public to refrain from identifying the women involved in this matter to allow the judicial process to take place.”
More than 50 AFP investigators and forensics specialists last week searching the man’s property, about 30km from Armidale.
Police seized documents, phones, cameras and computers, which will be subject to forensic analysis.
The man has been charged with three slavery and sexual servitude offences, under modern slavery laws in the Commonwealth criminal code.
Slavery offences carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail, while servitude offences carry a maximum 15-year term, or 20 years for aggravated offences.
The man appeared in Armidale Local Court on Friday, where he did not apply for bail. He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear before Armidale Local Court tomorrow.
“The charges to date relate to one alleged victim. Investigations remain ongoing, and further charges relating to further potential victims cannot be ruled out,” the AFP said.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough said the AFP was appealing to any victims, potential witnesses, or communities impacted by human trafficking to know there are pathways to support.
“We want the public to be aware that human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices are happening here in Australia, all too often without anyone in the community knowing,” Assistant Commissioner Gough said.
“Our hope is for every case we investigate, it helps others experiencing similar conditions to speak up and seek our help.
“It is up to all of us to work together to protect people who are vulnerable to the exploitative crimes of modern slavery.”
If you or someone you know have information that can assist this investigation, please report it by calling 131 AFP (237) or via email to the AFP’s National Operations State Service Centre (NOSSC-Client-Liaison@afp.gov.au) and quote ‘Operation Saintes’.
