August 15, 2025

Man Arrested for Human Trafficking in North Carolina

News Summary

Ricky Dean Clinton, a 40-year-old man from South Carolina, was arrested in Connelly Springs, NC, after multiple charges including human trafficking. Clinton had been evading authorities since July due to allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl. He was apprehended after firing a weapon at deputies during a pursuit, sustaining injuries. His arrest follows state initiatives focusing on combating human trafficking and improving public safety.

Connelly Springs, North Carolina

Ricky Dean Clinton, a 40-year-old man from Upstate South Carolina, was arrested in Connelly Springs, North Carolina, after being sought on multiple charges, including human trafficking. Clinton had been evading authorities since July due to accusations of criminal sexual conduct with a minor stemming from an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl in Honea Path.

Law enforcement apprehended Clinton on Tuesday after he discharged a firearm at Cleveland County deputies during the pursuit. In response, the deputies returned fire, resulting in Clinton sustaining injuries to his back. In addition to the human trafficking charges, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office noted that Clinton also had an outstanding burglary warrant issued from Catawba County.

Discussion on Public Safety and Human Trafficking

The arrest of Clinton comes on the heels of a meeting held by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in Greenville on August 14, where she met with other state attorneys general and law enforcement officials. The focus of the meeting was to address various public safety threats, including human trafficking. The aim was to enhance the collaboration between state and federal agencies in battling these issues.

Key topics of discussion encompassed drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal immigration, antisemitism, domestic terrorism, and internet crimes against children. This collaborative effort is critical in strengthening the fight against numerous safety threats facing communities.

Human Trafficking in South Carolina

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson highlighted that Greenville County had the most human trafficking investigations within the state for the year 2024. The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force released an annual report revealing that 285 different tips regarding human trafficking were investigated across 40 of the 46 counties in South Carolina. Greenville County recorded the highest number of investigations at 32, trailed closely by Richland and Charleston with 31 each, Horry with 22, and several other counties including Lexington, Berkeley, and Spartanburg.

The report also detailed that 111 likely victims of human trafficking were identified, which included 63 juveniles. Notably, labor trafficking occurrences were primarily associated with venues such as retail and small businesses, cleaning services, hospitality, food service, and domestic work. For sex trafficking, the leading sites identified included hotels, pornography, escort services, illicit massage businesses, and residence-based commercial sexual activities.

Initiatives and Funding for Victims

In response to the growing issue of human trafficking, the Task Force has initiated various programs, including a grant program aimed at supporting residential programs for minor victims affected by trafficking. For 2024, $6.5 million has been allocated to enhance protections for these vulnerable individuals.

Furthermore, an educational initiative known as TraffickProofSC received a Telly Award for its contributions in educating middle and high school students on the topic of human trafficking within the state. Additionally, a Hispanic awareness campaign has been launched to provide resources for Spanish-speaking communities, further supporting outreach and education efforts.

Amid these initiatives, Sara Johnson, a human trafficking survivor, participated in a press conference to share her experiences, aiming to raise awareness around the ongoing issue of human trafficking. Her involvement highlights the importance of survivor stories in fostering understanding and promoting actions against trafficking.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON

The CLINTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREClinton.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Clinton, Laurens County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Discovery, Clinton Community Day, and performances at the Whitten Center Amphitheater. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Laurens County Historical Society, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and education that power the local economy such as Milliken & Company and Presbyterian College. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.