A Nova Scotia lawyer charged with human trafficking and prostitution-related offences has been released on $5,000 bail.
Duane Alan Rhyno, 46, appeared in Kentville provincial court Thursday afternoon. He paid for his own release and left the courthouse, driving off in a vehicle that had been waiting outside.
His release includes conditions that he not leave Nova Scotia or have any contact with his alleged victim.
Kings District RCMP started investigating Rhyno after receiving information about potential prostitution activity in Greenwich, N.S. in July.
Police say they found evidence to support human trafficking and prostitution-related charges involving a male suspect and a 26-year-old female victim over the course of the investigation.
Court documents allege the incidents took place at the Old Orchard Inn and started a year before investigators became involved.
The general manager says suspicious incidents were reported to police. Under his conditions, Rhyno isn’t allowed to return to the Old Orchard Inn, except once, to collect his belongings with a police escort.
Rhyno was arrested Tuesday evening. The Lower Sackville man faces one count each of human trafficking, financial gain from human trafficking, aiding and abetting prostitution, living off the avails of prostitution, and sexual assault.
This isn’t the first time Rhyno has been in trouble with the law; he was once convicted of operating a vehicle while impaired and is facing additional charges in connection with drinking and driving, but they have yet to be proven in court.
Rhyno, who has been practising law for 16 years, has also run into professional problems; he has been suspended by the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society for professional misconduct on two separate occasions. In addition to the suspensions, he was required to pay nearly $40,000 in fines.
Police searched Rhyno’s home and office Thursday. He is not allowed to return until officers are finished searching the properties.
“The Barrister Society has been very diligent in ensuring client privacy is protected, so they have appointed a referee, Mr. Hagel from the Barrister Society, and he’s overseeing that end of the search and that end of the consideration,” says Rhyno’s defence lawyer, Ken Greer.
Police say the case is isolated and they don’t believe it involves a prostitution ring or more victims. They say they are now focusing on protecting the alleged victim.
Rhonda Fraser, executive director of Chrysalis House, says while human trafficking charges are rare, the incidents aren’t.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more charges of this nature but the crime itself is a hidden crime,” says Fraser, who works with women and children who have been sexually assaulted in the Annapolis Valley.
“As a community it allows us to name the real issue, which is about the use of people’s bodies as a commodity.”
Rhyno is due back in court later this month.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl
