A High River woman charged by Okotoks RCMP for alleged prostitution-related offenses involving minors has been arrested again, charged with assault in Calgary and is now on house arrest.
Samantha Pedersen was charged in October with three counts of trafficking persons under 18, two counts of living on the avails of prostitution, five counts of procuring persons under 18 and four counts of sexual exploitation of a young person.
Pedersen was released from custody after her arrest, but was re-arrested by High River RCMP Jan. 20 at the request of Calgary Police Services and charged with assault and breaching her release conditions.
She has been released again on stricter conditions, but did not have to post any more cash bail. Pedersen is now on house arrest and cannot go anywhere minors are likely to be found. She also is banned from having weapons and cannot be within a one-block radius of any city transit station.
Pedersen posted bail in November on her original charges when bail was reduced from $3,000 to $1,000. She was placed on a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., ordered to report to High River RCMP weekly and not contact any of the victims or anyone under the age of 18, except family members. She was also banned from accessing the Internet and possessing or owning any electronic device with Internet capabilities. The conditions also included a ban on drinking alcohol and consuming illegal and non-prescription drugs.
Pedersen has not entered pleas to any of the charges and will be back in Okotoks Provincial Court on Feb. 24.
