Skye Atoa, 50, of Lethbridge, is charged in connection with a human trafficking investigation. LPS is asking victims or those with information to speak with police. (Image Credit: Lethbridge Police Service)

By David Opinko

update: suspect re-arrested after bail release

Lethbridge man charged with human trafficking of minors

Jan 13, 2026 | 1:43 PM

UPDATE (Jan. 13 2:30 p.m.) Alleged human trafficker re-arrested by Lethbridge Police 30 minutes after release

CONTENT WARNING: This story contains distressing information of a sexual nature. Reader discretion is advised.

The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) believes that there may be more victims of a human trafficking scheme.

On Dec. 19, 2025, police responded to a report that a 14-year-old girl was being held in an apartment on the 500 block of 8 Street South.

Upon arrival, a man answered the door, and the girl was inside in medical distress. She was taken to hospital.

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The man was arrested without incident, and following the execution of a search warrant, another two girls, aged 15 and 16, were inside the unit.

The 14-year-old girl reported that she had been forcibly confined and repeatedly sexually assaulted by the man and other men over a three-day period. During the assaults, she was allegedly forced to consume drugs.

The 15 and 16-year-olds were forcibly confined to an apartment for several hours, and they said that during that time, the man exposed himself.

Skye Atoa, 50, of Lethbridge, is charged with trafficking of a person under 18, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual interference, obtaining sexual services of a child for consideration, indecent exposure to a child under 16, sexual counsel of a child and three counts of unlawful confinement.

He faces additional charges in connection with a previous sexual assault from Oct. 2025, where a 24-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at his home. In that case, Atoa is charged with sexual assault and obtaining for consideration sexual services/communicating for the purpose of sexual services.

@lethbridgenewsnow Lethbridge man charged with human trafficking of minors. Learn more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com #YQL #LNN #Lethbridge #Alberta #News ♬ original sound – Lethbridge News Now

Atoa has been held in custody since his arrest in mid-December, but was granted bail on Monday, Jan. 12.

He is expected to be released from custody today, Jan. 13, with numerous conditions. His next court appearance is Feb. 2.

Based on the investigation and evidence to date, LPS believes that there may be additional, unidentified victims.

They are releasing his photo in an effort to encourage victims, who may or may not know him by his name, to come forward.

Anyone who has been victimized, or who has further information that may assist investigators, is asked to call LPS at 403-328-4444 and reference file 25059360.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at P3Tips.com, or by using the P3 Tips mobile app.