CANADA: Innisfil Pride Founder Convicted On 7 Counts of Sex Trafficking

A prominent Canadian LGBT Pride leader has been found guilty of seven counts of sex trafficking. Despite the jury verdict, Jake Tucker, the founder of Innisfil Pride, maintains his innocence and claims the victims are unreliable and the police “botched” the investigation.

While the publicly-available details on the offenses had previously been limited due to court proceedings, new information from the case paints a disturbing picture.

According to Juno News, the allegations against Tucker first surfaced in 2022 when one woman came forward to police alleging she had been sex trafficked by Tucker for years. Police then located another victim who similarly revealed she had been subjected to sex trafficking by Tucker.

In court, the Crown argued that Tucker advertised the women for sexual services, drove them to and from “client appointments,” and drugged them when they did not want to work. One woman told the court Tucker used a taser on her to force her into compliance. Prosecutors described his actions as “coercive, aggressive and violent.”

Tucker’s defense included accusing the women of lying and being unreliable due to their past substance abuse. He also claimed that it was “impossible” that he had pimped the women, claiming that he would have been too busy to have the time.

On Wednesday, a jury found Tucker guilty on seven of the ten human trafficking and assault charges he had been facing. Tucker was acquitted on three counts of assault, sexual assault, and assault with a weapon.

While speaking to press outside the court house, Tucker admitted to having run a “swingers’ club” but denied it being related to prostitution.

Tucker also alleged that the criminal charges filed against him were motivated by separate issues in family court, but did not offer clarification on what those “issues” may involve.

Tucker is married to a man, and purchased a baby girl via a surrogacy contract with his partner. Tucker has made several social media posts depicting the little girl, beginning in 2018 when he celebrated Father’s Day.

Tucker was the founder of Innisfil Pride, and was very active in the LGBTQ+ activist community in Ontario.

The Innisfil Pride website describes itself as a resource for learning about LGBTQ+ “allies and activists.” “Pride is about coming together as a community to celebrate the freedom to be yourself, to uplift and honour 2SLGBTQ+ activism, and to support 2SLGBTQ+ rights,” reads the site.

“Here you can celebrate some local talent, learn about the allies and activists in your community, as well as a listing of free local events and resources available to you through your local library.”

Disturbingly, Tucker continued to be an active representative of Innisfil Pride even after criminal investigations first began against him in 2022.

According to a Facebook post from that summer, Fierté Simcoe Pride decided to “suspend all collaborations with Innisfil Pride indefinitely” due to the charges, while acknowledging Tucker’s organization was continuing to host local events.

Social media posts made by Innisfil Pride after Tucker was charged with sex trafficking reveal that he continued to serve as the president while hosting public campaigns. During Pride month in June 2023, the group hosted the town’s Pride flag-raising ceremony at the local City Hall. Other events described on its website are advertised as being for “all ages.”

At multiple Innisfil Pride events, Tucker performed as a drag queen under the name “Anita Goodickyn.”

Tucker is still listed as the President of Innisfil Pride, according to their website.

In 2018 and 2022, Tucker stood as a candidate in Ontario’s provincial elections, both times running in the district of Barrie—Innisfil. In 2018, he represented the Canadians’ Choice Party, a minor right-wing party noted for having multiple candidates vocally supportive of the neo-Nazi movement in Canada.

In 2022, Tucker switched parties to represent the Ontario People’s Front, another right-wing party formed in opposition to COVID-19 vaccination requirements. According to Elections Ontario, Tucker received 184 votes in 2018 and 119 votes in 2022.

Tucker is expected to return to court in May for sentencing.

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