A South Carolina woman has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for trafficking a 15-year-old student.
Evidence presented in court revealed that the minor victim met True Heaven Heflin, 25, of Greenville, at a party during Christmas break in 2022. Heflin subsequently took the victim to her residence and forced her to engage in sexual acts for money. The victim was held captive for over a week before managing to escape.
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“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,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “We, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to tirelessly investigate and prosecute these despicable acts until our children and communities are safe.”
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis also emphasized the commitment to combating human trafficking, stating, “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. This case serves as a reminder of our unwavering commitment to seeking justice for victims and holding traffickers accountable. Human trafficking has been — and will continue to be — a top priority for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. We will persist in defending and advocating for those who cannot defend themselves, ensuring that those responsible for such heinous acts are brought to justice.”
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United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks sentenced Heflin to 300 months in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Heflin was also ordered to pay the victim $5,000 in restitution. Heflin pleaded guilty to human trafficking conspiracy in November 2024.
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Fisher Sherard prosecuted the case.
Authorities urge anyone who suspects they or someone they know may be a victim of human trafficking to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. More information on reporting and recognizing the signs of human trafficking can be found at https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/report-human-trafficking.
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