Human trafficking, most other charges dropped against Iqaluit man

An Iqaluit man who was facing one human trafficking charge among several others says he's happy to get his life back after most of the charges against him were dropped earlier this year.

Mathew Pierce was charged with seven offenses including human trafficking, one count of profiting from human trafficking, one count of voyeurism, one count of publishing intimate images without consent, two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm.

The RCMP laid the charges on September 12, 2022, stemming from incidents that allegedly occurred on November 1, 2014 and August 23, 2022.

A court order prohibits the publication of any information that could identify his accuser.

Pierce, 34, was scheduled to go to trial in April. The trial was adjourned “for resolution” on March 27, according to court documents, and Pierce pleaded guilty to the voyeurism charge on April 15. All other charges were dropped.

Pierce described his acceptance of the voyeurism charge as a “plea deal” in an interview with Nunatsiaq News and said he maintains his innocence.

“I agreed to this deal only to resolve the situation,” he said.

Pierce said he spent a year and a half in jail while his case went to court. He is now reunited with his family, which includes five children, and expresses relief at being able to put this behind him.

“I have a family to take care of and the public deserves to know that I'm not the monster they think I am,” he said.

Pierce received parole and an 18-month probation period that includes several stipulations, including that he remain consistent in his good behavior and follow any counseling directed by his probation officer.

If Pierce completes his probation without any breaches or violations, the voyeurism conviction will be expunged from his record, said Nathalie Houle, a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

“This outcome was fair and just given what actually happened and the circumstances,” said Pierce’s attorney, Matthew Shadley.