Coastal Region Human Trafficking Task Force

One of our main goals as a task force is to educate. The more people who are able to recognize the signs of human trafficking and report it, the more likely we are to help victims and identify perpetrators. Members of the Task Force gave a presentation at Crossroads Centers today in Myrtle Beach.

Take Force members met for our quarterly meeting Tuesday. We reviewed 2026 initiatives to spread awareness and discussed upcoming training opportunities for healthcare and EMS workers.

These quarterly meetings help us stay in touch and on track with our goals of educating, identifying, reporting and assisting victims of human trafficking.

Task Force members Ron Harrison and Shelbia Wiley spoke at the South Carolina Association of Legal Investigators (SCALI) Conference today.

Wiley started Engaging Minds Services, a non-profit organization that serves victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. Harrison is a State Constable who primarily works with the Horry County Sheriff's Office.

Their presentation focused on human trafficking and private investigators, because this type of crime is not always easy to spot.

Wade Jacob Curry, 19, is charged with Trafficking in Persons, Victim Under 18 Years of Age, 1st Offense, and Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Victim 11-14 Years of Age, 2nd Degree.

S*X TRAFFICKING SUSPECT ARRESTED

An investigation sparked by a tip from a Georgetown County teen has resulted in the arrest of an Horry County man accused of s*x trafficking. Wade Jacob Curry, 19, is charged with Trafficking in Persons, Victim Under 18 Years of Age, 1st Offense, and Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Victim 11-14 Years of Age, 2nd Degree. A Georgetown County youth told investigators that Curry would meet her at a grocery store in Pawleys Island in a white work van and have s*x with her in a beach access parking lot. He would give her vapes, which she sold at school, giving a portion of the money back to him. There is evidence that similar crimes against other minors may have occurred.

The teen positively identified Curry in a lineup and warrants for his arrest and a search of his home were obtained. Curry was arrested without incident by representatives from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, SLED, and Horry County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Georgetown County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should call 843-546-5102.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined 11 other states in asking the court to hold human traffickers liable for conduct that takes place outside of the U.S.

“If you traffic South Carolinians, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will put you behind bars,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “As our states’ chief prosecutors, it is our job to fight against this vile act and bring justice for victims, regardless of where the act takes place.”

As parents and guardians, you have a responsibility to protect your kids from real-world and online threats. Be nosy. Know what your kids are watching, what games they're playing, what apps they're downloading and who they're talking to. Most importantly, educate your kids on the dangers of being online.

Today is Safer Internet Day. /ICAC

The South Carolina Attorney General's Office released the 2025 Human Trafficking Annual Report today. Some key points...

👥In 2025, SLED opened 315 tips of human trafficking (Horry-17, Georgetown-1)
👥The Department of Social Services reported 159 cases of minors involved in human trafficking. The majority were females 15–18 years old.
👥The Department of Juvenile Justice identified 56 minors as victims of human trafficking with runaway emerging as the most prevalent charge.
👥Right now, 52 different defendants have a total of 84 charges pending for human trafficking in State Court. (Horry- 5 defendants, 10 charges pending).

Education still remains a top priority across the state. We will continue to reach out to vulnerable populations and teach members of the community and law enforcement how to recognize the signs.

Today, Attorney General Alan Wilson released the 2025 Human Trafficking Annual Report.
You can watch the full news conference here:
https://youtu.be/2yvgDdTQNOk

The human trafficking hot line is 24/7 and completely confidential.
Call 1-888-373-7888
OR
Text 233733

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The U.S. Attorney's Office partners with law enforcement and community organizations across the state to fight this insidious evil.

To learn more about the signs of trafficking or to get help, visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org

If your kids have access to a smart device, it's your duty, as their guardian, to monitor it. What apps do they have? What games are they playing? Who are they talking to? These are all questions parents should be asking.

Attorney General Alan Wilson announces investigation into Roblox Corporation - (COLUMBIA, S.C.) -South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that his office has issued a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) to Roblox Corporation pursuant to the South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act (SCUTPA). According to the SCUTPA, unfair methods of competition, deceptive acts...

Engaging Minds Services is a Horry County non-profit organization that serves victims of abuse and human trafficking.

Engaging Minds has just welcomed a family in urgent need of support. They came to us with little more than hope in their hearts, and now we’re asking our community to stand with them. 💙

They need the basics food, clothing, and household essentials as they take the first steps toward rebuilding their lives. Every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference.

Will you join us in helping this family feel safe, supported, and cared for?

To arrange a donation pick up or drop of please contact our community coordinator Hannah at
(843)-587-6126 or contact us on our general office line at (843)-438-4550

We thank you for your continued support!