Evergreen Reporter

True Heaven Heflin, a 25-year-old resident of Greenville, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for the trafficking of a 15-year-old student from Greenville. The incident began during a Christmas break party in 2022 when the victim met Heflin, who subsequently forced the minor into sexual acts for money over a period exceeding one week until the victim managed to escape.

Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews emphasized the determination to combat child exploitation: "If you abuse and exploit children for money, we will find you, we will charge you, and we will ensure you go to prison. Human trafficking inflicts profound and lasting damage on its victims and our community." He further stated that collaboration with law enforcement partners would continue in efforts to investigate and prosecute such crimes.

Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis highlighted the case as an example of effective law enforcement cooperation against human trafficking. "The successful prosecution and sentencing of True Heflin exemplifies what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies collaborate to tackle the horrific crime of human trafficking," said Lewis. He reaffirmed that human trafficking remains a priority for his office.

Heflin was sentenced by United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks to 300 months in prison, followed by lifetime supervision without parole. Additionally, she must pay $5,000 in restitution to the victim after pleading guilty to human trafficking conspiracy in November 2024.

The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Fisher Sherard prosecuting the case.

Anyone suspecting someone may be a victim of human trafficking is encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/report-human-trafficking for more information on recognizing signs of human trafficking.