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The Crisis at Our Doorstep
On September 23 and 24, 2025, Greenville Police executed search warrants at Stress Away massage therapy studio on North Pleasantburg Drive and 5K Spa on Parkins Mill Road. The raids weren’t random—they were part of a coordinated human trafficking investigation that underscores a disturbing reality: Greenville County has become ground zero for human trafficking in South Carolina. No arrests have been made, and the investigations remain ongoing.
According to the 2024 Human Trafficking Task Force Annual Report released by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Greenville County ranked #1 in the state with 32 trafficking investigations—more than any other county in South Carolina. But the numbers tell an even darker story: of the nearly 400 potential victims identified statewide, 80% were minors.
For attorneys practicing in Greenville County, this isn’t just a criminal justice issue—it’s a practice area that’s exploding across multiple disciplines, from criminal defense to family law, immigration to civil litigation. And with major legislative changes that took effect July 2, 2024, the legal landscape has fundamentally shifted.
Why Greenville? The I-85 Corridor Factor
Greenville’s position as South Carolina’s trafficking epicenter isn’t coincidental. The city sits squarely in the middle of the I-85 corridor—a route that connects Atlanta and Charlotte, two of the top 20 human trafficking hubs in the United States.
“The I-85 corridor runs from Atlanta all the way through Charlotte, which cuts right through the Upstate of South Carolina,” Attorney General Wilson explained during the January 2025 report release. “And those two cities—Charlotte and Atlanta—are two of the top twenty human trafficking hubs in the country.”
This geographic reality means that Greenville isn’t just dealing with local trafficking—it’s a transit point, a destination, and increasingly, an origin point for trafficking operations that span multiple states and jurisdictions.
The Numbers:
- 32 investigations in Greenville County (2024)
- 13 situations reported to National Human Trafficking Hotline from Greenville County—the highest in the state
- 285 total tips investigated statewide by SLED
- 392 potential victims identified across South Carolina
- 315 of those victims were minors (80%)
Game-Changing Legal Updates: What Changed July 2, 2024
South Carolina Bill 142 brought the most significant changes to human trafficking law in over a decade. If you’re not up to speed on these changes, you’re already behind. You can read the full text of the bill on the South Carolina Legislature’s website. Here’s what every attorney needs to know:
1. Expanded Definition of Sex Trafficking
The definition of sex trafficking under S.C. Code Section 16-3-2010(7) now includes:
- Sexual exploitation of a minor (Sections 16-15-395, 16-15-405, or 16-15-410)
- Promoting or participating in prostitution of a minor (Sections 16-15-415 or 16-15-425)
Practice Implication: Prosecutors now have broader charging authority, and defense attorneys need to understand the expanded scope when evaluating cases.
2. Safe Harbor Provisions for Minor Victims
Minor victims of trafficking can no longer be prosecuted or adjudicated delinquent for:
- Trafficking-related offenses
- Prostitution offenses
- Any nonviolent misdemeanor or Class F felony committed as a direct result of being trafficked
Instead, minors must be referred to the Department of Social Services for assessment and specialized services.
Practice Implication: Family law attorneys will see increased DSS involvement, and criminal defense attorneys must recognize when safe harbor provisions apply.
3. Affirmative Defense for Adult Victims
Adult victims of trafficking may now raise duress and coercion as an affirmative defense for offenses committed as a direct result of being trafficked.
Practice Implication: Criminal defense attorneys have a powerful new tool—but it requires understanding trafficking dynamics and establishing the victim-defendant’s trafficking history.
4. Expungement Rights for Victims
Both minor and adult victims can petition to expunge convictions for offenses that were a direct result of or interrelated to being trafficked. The court can grant expungement based on a preponderance of evidence standard.
Practice Implication: This opens a new avenue for post-conviction relief and record clearing for trafficking survivors.
5. Address Confidentiality Program
A new Address Confidentiality Program has been established through the Attorney General’s Office, allowing trafficking victims (along with domestic violence and sexual assault victims) to use a designated address to conceal their residence from their abusers.
Practice Implication: Attorneys working with victims need to know how to help clients access this program for safety and privacy.
6. New Crime: Child Luring
The bill creates a new felony offense of child luring—when an adult lures, entices, or attempts to lure a child with intent to harm them. The penalty is up to $10,000, up to 10 years in prison, or both.
Practice Implication: This provides prosecutors with an additional charging option in cases where trafficking hasn’t been completed but predatory behavior is evident.
Practice Area Implications: Where Attorneys Fit In
Criminal Defense
With Greenville County leading the state in investigations, criminal defense attorneys are seeing:
- Trafficking charges (both sex trafficking and labor trafficking)
- Related charges: kidnapping, sexual exploitation, prostitution promotion
- Federal prosecutions (when cases cross state lines or involve significant drug/weapon seizures)
- False accusations from disgruntled clients or business rivals
The stakes are enormous: first-time trafficking convictions carry up to 15 years imprisonment; second offenses up to 30 years.
Victim Advocacy & Civil Litigation
Trafficking survivors need legal representation for:
- Civil claims against hotels, motels, and businesses that enabled trafficking
- Expungement petitions
- Restitution claims (mandatory upon conviction)
- T-visa applications (immigration relief for victims)
- Address confidentiality program applications
- Protective orders
Organizations like Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services now have dedicated attorneys serving trafficking survivors, and SCCADVASA maintains a referral network of contract attorneys throughout the state.
Family Law
The DSS referral requirement for minor victims means family law attorneys will encounter:
- Custody disputes involving trafficking survivors
- Termination of parental rights cases
- Guardianship matters
- Child protection proceedings
With $6.5 million appropriated for residential programming for minor victims, the infrastructure is being built—and family courts will be navigating these cases regularly.
Immigration Law
Trafficking victims may be eligible for T-visas, which provide immigration relief and a path to lawful permanent residence. Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services offers low-cost assistance, but there’s significant demand for private immigration attorneys who understand trafficking law.
The Business Enablement Angle: Hotels, Motels, and Civil Liability
One of the most significant trends in trafficking litigation is holding businesses liable for enabling trafficking. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline data, the top location for sex trafficking in South Carolina is hotels and motels.
Law firms across the country are bringing civil claims against hotel chains, casinos, truck stops, and other businesses that turn a blind eye to trafficking on their premises. In South Carolina, attorneys are pursuing similar strategies.
Recent Example: McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC filed a lawsuit representing trafficking survivors against two Charleston hotels, demonstrating the viability of these claims in South Carolina courts.
Legal Theory: Businesses can be held liable under premises liability, negligence, and civil conspiracy theories when they:
- Fail to train employees to recognize trafficking signs
- Ignore obvious indicators (cash payments, no luggage, same room booked repeatedly)
- Accept payment from known traffickers
- Fail to report suspicious activity
These cases are complex, require significant resources, and can result in substantial damages for survivors.
What Attorneys Should Do Now
1. Get Educated
The SC Human Trafficking Task Force offers specialized training for legal professionals. Understanding trafficking dynamics, trauma-informed interviewing, and victim identification is essential whether you’re defending the accused or representing survivors.
2. Know Your Resources
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 (for reporting or victim referrals)
- SC Victim Assistance Network Legal Department: scvanlegal.org
- Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services: Dedicated trafficking attorney
- SCCADVASA Legal Program: Contract attorney referral network
- Human Trafficking Task Force: scag.gov/human-trafficking
3. Review Your Case Types
Could any of your current clients benefit from:
- Trafficking-related affirmative defenses?
- Expungement under the new provisions?
- Safe harbor protections?
- Address confidentiality program enrollment?
4. Consider Your Marketing
With Greenville leading the state in trafficking cases, positioning your firm as knowledgeable in this area—whether criminal defense, victim advocacy, or civil litigation—can differentiate you in a crowded market. However, marketing sensitive practice areas like human trafficking requires careful, ethical approaches that prioritize client trust and professional standards.
5. Update Your Website
Make sure your online presence reflects your capabilities in handling these cases. Potential clients (both survivors and those accused) are searching for attorneys who understand trafficking law. Your website should communicate that expertise clearly. Effective law firm website development means creating content that educates potential clients while demonstrating your firm’s knowledge and compassion.
The Bottom Line
Human trafficking isn’t a distant problem—it’s happening right here in Greenville County, and it’s happening at rates higher than anywhere else in South Carolina. The September 2025 spa raids are just the latest chapter in an ongoing crisis.
For attorneys, this represents both a professional responsibility and a practice opportunity. The 2024 legislative changes have created new legal pathways, new defenses, and new areas of practice. With 32 investigations in Greenville County alone and cases pending in state and federal courts, the demand for knowledgeable legal representation—on both sides—has never been higher.
The question isn’t whether trafficking cases will touch your practice. The question is whether you’ll be ready when they do.
About the Author
Jim Toppe is the founder of Toppe Consulting, a digital marketing agency specializing in law firms. He holds a Master of Science in Management from Clemson University and teaches Business Law at Greenville Technical College. Jim also serves as publisher and editor for South Carolina Manufacturing, a digital magazine. His unique background combines legal knowledge with digital marketing expertise to help attorneys grow their practices through compliant, results-driven strategies.
About This Article
This analysis was prepared by Toppe Consulting, a digital marketing firm specializing in helping law firms establish authoritative online presences and reach clients searching for legal expertise. We help attorneys communicate their knowledge effectively through website development, content marketing, and local SEO.
If your firm needs to better communicate your practice areas and expertise to potential clients in Greenville County and beyond, we’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can help.
Toppe Consulting
Digital Marketing for Legal Professionals
jim@toppeconsulting.com | toppeconsulting.com
(Based in Salem, SC—Serving the Upstate)
Works Cited
“2023-2024 Bill 142: Trafficking in Persons, Luring a Child.” South Carolina Legislature, 2024, www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/142.htm. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Greenville County Had Highest Amount of Human Trafficking Investigations in State in 2024.” WYFF4, 13 Jan. 2025, www.wyff4.com/article/human-trafficking-2024-south-carolina-report/63409428. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Greenville Police Search Upstate Spas in Human Trafficking Investigation.” WSPA 7News, 25 Sept. 2025, www.yahoo.com/news/articles/greenville-police-search-upstate-spas-161750346.html. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Gov. Henry McMaster Ceremonially Signs Human Trafficking Victim Protection Bill Into Law.” Office of Governor Henry McMaster, Aug. 2024, governor.sc.gov/news/2024-08/gov-henry-mcmaster-ceremonially-signs-human-trafficking-victim-protection-bill-law. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Human Trafficking Charges: Strom Law Firm’s Defense.” Strom Law Firm, 7 Oct. 2024, stromlaw.com/human-trafficking-charges/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Legal Program.” South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA), www.sccadvasa.org/legal-program/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Police: Human Trafficking Under Investigation at Two Spas in Greenville.” FOX Carolina, 25 Sept. 2025, www.foxcarolina.com/2025/09/25/police-human-trafficking-being-investigated-two-spas-greenville/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Prevent • Protect • Prosecute: 2024 Annual Report.” South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, 2024, www.scag.gov/media/omifjvat/2024_annualreport_cover.pdf. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Report Shows Minors Make Up Majority of Human Trafficking Victims in SC.” WYFF4, 13 Feb. 2025, www.wyff4.com/article/potential-human-trafficking-victims-minors-south-carolina/63778426. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“SC Attorney General Releases Annual Human Trafficking Task Force Report.” Live5News, 13 Jan. 2025, www.live5news.com/2025/01/13/live-sc-attorney-general-releases-annual-human-trafficking-task-force-report/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“Sex Trafficking in South Carolina.” McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, 30 Jan. 2025, www.mcgowanhood.com/sex-trafficking/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“South Carolina Code Section 16-3-2020 (2024) – Trafficking in Persons; Penalties; Minor Victims; Defenses.” Justia Law, law.justia.com/codes/south-carolina/title-16/chapter-3/section-16-3-2020/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
“South Carolina Releases 2024 Human Trafficking Report.” WJCL 22 News, 14 Jan. 2025, www.wjcl.com/article/south-carolina-releases-2024-human-trafficking-report/63418242. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
