Innisfil resident Jake Tucker is facing a slew of charges for allegedly obtaining sexual services, advertising sexual services, trafficking persons, assault and more.
Tucker is a member of
Innisfil Pride, and ran as an independent candidate in the June 2 provincial election.
They were arrested on their birthday, April 5, according to a Barrie police arrest document.
They are charged with two counts of procuring sexual services, two counts of obtaining material benefit from sexual services, two counts of material benefit from trafficking persons, two counts of advertising sexual services, two counts of obtaining sexual services, one count of assault causing bodily harm, and one count of assault.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Lawyer Matthew Giesinger was in Barrie court June 15, on behalf of Tucker, for an appearance relating to the charges. The court imposed a publication ban to prevent the publication of any information that could identify any witness or complainants in a sexual assault proceeding.
Simcoe.com contacted Tucker for comment, but they declined.
Giesinger responded to Simcoe.com in an email to comment on the charges his client faces.
“Jake Tucker strenuously denies each and every allegation being made, which are completely and absolutely false. Jake is a community organizer, and
former candidate for MPP," wrote Giesinger.
"Jake is the president of Innisfil Pride and an advocate for not only the pride community as well as a passionate advocate for women and children. Last week, Jake co-organized a
charity event at the local airfield wherein all proceeds raised went to a local women and children’s domestic abuse shelter.
"Just yesterday (June 20) Jake was formally invited by Barrie Police to attend the raising of the pride flag where they met and conversed with the Chief of Police. If there was any truth to these allegations, I would find it difficult to believe that someone would attend an event amongst dozens of officers, including some that would be privy to this current situation.
"I cannot comment on the specifics of these charges due to a publication ban. However, I can say that we intend to fight until their innocence is proven in court.”
Barrie police confirmed representatives from Innisfil Pride were at the Barrie police Pride flag raising, and photos on social media, which have since been deleted, show Tucker was there, but police said the group was invited by another agency.
Meanwhile, Patrick Harriott-Stewart and Dawn Mucci, the co-organizers of the charity skydiving event at the airfield, said Tucker "had no role in organizing this event other than volunteering the day of to help set up and tear down. He was signed on to jump, but is no longer participating.”
Tucker is due back in court July 6.
