An Ohio man has been found guilty of human trafficking charges in Georgia after a multi-agency effort led to the rescue of a 16-year-old victim.
Attorney General Chris Carr announced that Anthony Charles Holmes, 33, of Cleveland, Ohio, was convicted of trafficking a 16-year-old girl from South Carolina to Atlanta for commercial sex. The victim, who had been reported missing, was rescued during a traffic stop initiated by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office on August 2, 2023.
Following a five-day trial, a Greene County jury found Holmes guilty on October 21, 2024, of numerous charges, including Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. His sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2024.
A Collaborative Effort
The successful prosecution was the result of a coordinated effort between the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Taliaferro County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit.
“Thanks to the leadership of our Governor and First Lady, law enforcement officers in Georgia are more equipped than ever before to identify the signs of human trafficking, and we’re saving lives as a result,” said Carr. “As soon as this 16-year-old victim was recovered, our team went to work to ensure every one of her traffickers was brought to justice, and that’s exactly what we have accomplished with this latest conviction. We’re grateful for our partnership with District Attorney Wright Barksdale, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Taliaferro County Sheriff’s Office and GBI, and we will continue fighting to combat human trafficking in our state.”
The case unfolded when a Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a traffic violation committed by Holmes. A pursuit ensued, with the Taliaferro County Sheriff’s Office assisting in stopping the vehicle. Deputies discovered the missing 16-year-old girl, along with a firearm, cocaine, and marijuana.
Jameesha Harris, a co-defendant who helped transport the victim, previously pleaded guilty to human trafficking and other charges.
“The Greene County Sheriff’s Office is diligently working to protect victims and hold traffickers accountable,” said Greene County Sheriff Donnie Harrison. “We will continue to coordinate with our law enforcement partners to put a stop to human trafficking in our community.”
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“This could not have been done without the cooperation of our partners at the Attorney General’s Office, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, and GBI,” said Taliaferro County Sheriff Tia McWilliams. “The Taliaferro County Sheriff’s Office takes pride in knowing another victim is safe and there are two less traffickers on the streets.”
“Human trafficking will not be tolerated in the State of Georgia,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This conviction is a testament to the commitment of the GBI’s HEAT Unit and our partners to hold traffickers accountable for these heinous crimes.”
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