Greenville County had highest amount of human trafficking investigations in state in 2024

IN TIME FOR NEWS TO GO. WE HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES, TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. WE’RE GOING TO START WITH SOME BREAKING NEWS IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY. FIRST, THE CORONER’S OFFICE HAS IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM IN A DEADLY CRASH. OFFICIALS SAY THAT HAPPENED ABOUT 630 LAST NIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 296 AND REEDVILLE ROAD. TROOPERS SAY 33 YEAR OLD CAMERON GILES WAS CROSSING SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 296 WHEN THEY WERE HIT BY AN SUV GOING EAST. WE’RE TOLD THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. AN AUTOPSY FOR GILES IS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY, AND JURY SELECTION IS EXPECTED TO GET UNDERWAY TODAY. FOR AN UPSTATE PIANIST CHARGED WITH MURDER. IT BEGINS AFTER A WOMAN WAS FOUND BRUTALLY STABBED TO DEATH IN HER HOME IN 2021. OFFICIALS SAY 41 YEAR OLD CHRISTINA PARCELL WAS FOUND DEAD ON OCTOBER 13TH IN HER HOME IN THE CANEBREAK NEIGHBORHOOD IN GREER. THE CORONER SAYS PARCELL HAD SEVERAL SHARP FORCE INJURIES. 29 YEAR OLD ZACHARY HUGHES IS CHARGED WITH MURDER IN THAT CASE. OFFICIALS SAY IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO WAS, OR IF THERE WAS ANY AT ALL. A POTENTIAL MOTIVE IS ALSO UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. SINCE HIS ARREST, HUGHES HAS BEEN HELD IN THE GREENVILLE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER WITH NO BOND. THAT TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO BE LENGTHY. MOVING ON NOW TO SOME STATE NEWS TOMORROW. SOUTH CAROLINA’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS A BRAND NEW SESSION. REPUBLICANS HOLD A SUPERMAJORITY IN THE STATE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADERS TELL US THEY HOPE TO FOCUS ON JUDICIAL REFORM, FINDING WAYS TO GENERATE MORE POWER TO SOUTH CAROLINA. DEMOCRATS SAY THEY WANT TO EXPAND THE STATE’S HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE AND OFFER HOUSING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. GOVERNOR HENRY MCMASTER IS ALSO EXPECTED TO UNVEIL HIS EXECUTIVE BUDGET FOR THE 2025 2026 FISCAL YEAR THIS AFTERNOON. OFFICIALS ARE TAKING PREEMPTIVE STEPS TO HELP PEOPLE REBUILD WHEN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY WILDFIRES END. THOSE ONGOING FIRES ARE THE COSTLIEST AND MOST DESTRUCTIVE IN STATE HISTORY. AN EXECUTIVE ORDER OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SIGNED YESTERDAY SUSPENDS SOME BUILDING REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDFIRE VICTIMS. GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAYS HE’S ALSO ALLOCATING STATE RESOURCES TO EXPEDITE INSURANCE INSPECTIONS. OFFICIALS SAY UNINSURED LOSSES ARE A GREATER CHALLENGE THAT MIGHT REQUIRE PHILANTHROPY. THE HEAD OF FEMA SAYS MITIGATING FUTURE RISKS IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP HOMES INSURED AND SAFE. AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS COMING TO AN END IN ONE WEEK BEFORE IT DOES. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WILL SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE NATION ONE MORE TIME. BIDEN WILL DELIVER HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 8:00. THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THIS WILL MARK THE FIFTH AND FINAL TIME BIDEN WILL SPEAK TO AMERICANS FROM THE OVAL OFFICE. AND TODAY, THE PRESIDENT WILL DELIVER A SPEECH ON HIS FOREIGN POLICY WORK. TIME NOW. 647. AND IT’S THE WEEK OF DEALS. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIKE TO TRY OUT NEW FOODS OR FOODIES, IF YOU WILL, FOODIES IF YOU WILL. ABSOLUTELY. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT RESTAURANT WEEK. HUNDREDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA ARE PARTICIPATING. LUCKILY, WE HAVE OUR ISABELLE MARAK LIVE IN THE FIELD FROM DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE WITH SOME OF THOSE DETAILS. GOOD MORNING. HEY, ERIN AND PEYTON, GOOD MORNING. BOY, AM I HUNGRY THIS MORNING TALKING ABOUT FOOD ALL MORNING. SO I MIGHT HAVE TO GET IN ON THESE DEALS THIS WEEK. BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON’T KNOW WHAT RESTAURANT WEEK IS, IT’S KIND OF WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. IT’S DEALS ON MULTI-COURSE MEALS AND NEW MENU ITEMS. SOME RESTAURANTS ARE EVEN OFFERING TAKEOUT OR TO GO OPTIONS IF THAT’S MORE YOUR SPEED. NO TICKETS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN. SOME RESTAURANTS ARE EVEN TAKING RESERVATIONS. THERE’S DEALS FROM THREE COURSE MEALS FOR $18 TO A $60 MEAL FOR COUPLES, SO PLENTY OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR YOU IF THAT’S YOUR SPEED. YOU HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 19TH TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS, BUT FOR NOW, REPORTING LIVE IN GREENVILLE, ISABELLE MARAK. WYFF NEWS FOUR. WELL, MY STOMACH IS GRUMBLING AND IT’S YOUR FAULT RIGHT NOW. SEVERAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OUR AREA ARE ON TWO HOUR DELAYS BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE ICY CONDITIONS ON THE ROADS. THAT INCLUDES ALL ANDERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHEROKEE, GREENVILLE, OCONEE, PICKENS, AND SPARTANBURG DISTRICTS ONE THROUGH THREE AND FIVE THROUGH SEVEN. GREENWOOD DISTRICT 52, SPARTANBURG DISTRICT FOUR, AND UNION COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL OPERATE ON A NORMAL SCHEDULE. ASHEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS, BUNCOMBE COUNTY, HENDERSON, RUTHERFORD, AND SEVERAL OTHER DISTRICTS WILL HAVE A REMOTE LEARNING DAY. IT’S ALSO AN OPTIONAL TEACHER WORKDAY FOR MOST OF THESE DISTRICTS. YOU CAN FIND ALL THE CLOSINGS AND DELAYS IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN RIGHT NOW, OR ON WYFF4.COM. AND THAT DOES BRING ME TO THE POSSIBILITY OF US SEEING SOME ICY, SLICK SPOTS ALONG THE ROADWAYS THIS MORNING. NOW, MOST OF US ARE GOOD TO GO. HOWEVER, THERE ARE STILL A FEW OF THOSE SPOTS, THOSE SIDE STREETS ONES THAT DON’T GET A WHOLE LOT OF SUNLIGHT THAT COULD STILL REMAIN ON THE SLICK SIDE WITH SOME REFREEZING THROUGHOUT LAST NIGHT INTO THIS MORNING. SO BE SAFE OUT ON THE ROADS THIS MORNING. OTHERWISE WE ARE DRY, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. NOTICE FURTHER TOWARDS OUR SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST. WE’VE GOT A LOT OF MOISTURE AND SOME OF THIS WILL GRAZE PARTS OF THE CAROLINAS. HOWEVER, MOST OF IT SHOULD BE SOUTH OF US. BUT THERE IS THAT SMALL POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD NUDGE A LITTLE BIT FURTHER NORTH, BRINGING US A SHOWER OR TWO. OTHERWISE, AS THE DAY MOVES ON, WE ARE ACTUALLY SEEING IMPROVING CONDITIONS WITH MORE SUNSHINE BEGINNING TO DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THIS AFTERNOON AND TEMPERATURES RISING A FEW DEGREES WARMER THAN YESTERDAY, RIGHT NEAR THAT 50 DEGREE MARK. CERTAINLY A WELCOME CHANGE AND HOPEFULLY SHOULD BRING IN THAT POSSIBILITY OF MELTING ANY BIT OF LINGERING WINTER WEATHER THAT MIGHT STILL BE ON THE GROUNDS NOW. WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA LOOKING MAINLY DRY. STILL COULD SEE A SPOTTY SHOWER OR EVEN A FLURRY POSSIBLE, BUT THAT’S THE EXTENT OF IT. HOWEVER, WE ARE LOOKING AT A LITTLE BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER WITH OUR TEMPERATURES, AND OUR WEATHER PATTERN WILL HAVE A CLOSER LOOK IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. PEYTON, THANK YOU SO MUCH, SYDNEY. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT I-85 SOUTH NEAR CLEMSON BOULEVARD IN ANDERSON COUNTY. NOW. YEAH, A FEW MORE CARS ON THE ROAD. BUT HEY, IT’S NOTHING CRAZY, WHICH IS A REALLY GOOD SIGN FOR YOUR MORNING COMMUTE. ROADS ALSO LOOKING DRY. JUST MAKE SURE YOU’RE STAYING CAREFUL. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE’RE NOT SEEING ANY OF THAT REFREEZING ON SOME OF THESE HIGHWAYS. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TRAVEL TIMES. WE’VE SEEN THEM ALL IN THE GREEN. 11 MINUTES I-26 EASTBOUND. THAT’S I-240 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY SIX MINUTES. AIRPORT ON WOODRUFF ROAD. THAT’S I-85 SOUTHBOUND. WE’RE AT 13 MINUTES FOR FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN. AFTER A HUGE SENDOFF FOR HODA KOTB ON FRIDAY, A NEW ERA STARTS THIS MORNING ON THE TODAY SHOW. THAT’S RIGHT, JASON GUY FROM OUR SISTER STATION SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY WITH SAVANNAH GUTHRIE AND HER NEW TODAY CO-ANCHOR, A SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE. CRAIG MELVIN. OUTSIDE OF GETTING MARRIED AND HAVING MY CHILDREN, THIS IS THE MOST EXCITED I’VE PROBABLY EVER BEEN. CONNECTION AND CHEMISTRY. YEAH, IT’S AS EASY AS IT COULD BE. I GOT TO CHAT WITH THE NEW TODAY SHOW TEAM, SAVANNAH GUTHRIE AND CRAIG MELVIN FROM STUDIO ONE. A I’VE JUST BEEN WATCHING. YOU’RE HAVING A LOT OF FUN TOGETHER. WE FEEL REALLY LUCKY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE HAVE A FRIENDSHIP. WE LOVE EACH OTHER. WE’RE PARTNERS AT WORK. WE’VE ANCHORED A BAZILLION TIMES TOGETHER. I HAVE BEEN TAKEN ABACK BY STRANGERS WHO COME UP AND. OH, CONGRATULATIONS. OH, I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU. I THAT THAT THAT HAS MEANT MORE THAN I. IT’S MEANT MORE THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD MEAN TO ME BECAUSE I WASN’T EXPECTING IT. CRAIG OFFICIALLY FILLS HODA KOTB’S FORMER SEAT NEXT TO SAVANNAH MONDAY MORNING ON THE TODAY SHOW. WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT’S A HODA SAYING GOODBYE TO HODA BECAUSE WE LOVE HER AND WE WANT TO SEND HER OFF WITH OUR WARMEST AND, LIKE, WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND HER. BUT IT IS A CRAIG ABRASION TO. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE REAL CRAIG, LISTEN TO WHAT SAVANNAH SAYS HE DID ON A WHIRLWIND 24 HOUR WORK TRIP TO ARIZONA. LIKE YOU’RE IN, YOU’RE OUT, YOU’RE NOT SLEEPING. THE TIME CHANGE. AND HE JUST TEXTED ME AND SAID, YOU THINK I COULD GO BY AND SAY HELLO TO YOUR MOM? AND HE WENT AND VISITED MY MOM, AND THEY TOOK A PICTURE AND IT WAS SO CUTE. AND SHE STILL TALKS ABOUT IT. FANTASTIC CONCERT THIS MORNING. I THINK THE BEST THING IS THAT YOU SEE ON ON TV, YOU SEE EXACTLY THE REASON EVERYONE LOVES HIM IS BECAUSE IT’S EXACTLY WHO HE IS. MONDAY MORNING ON TODAY, A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS WITH CRAIG MELVIN, AND TO BE ON THE JOURNEY WITH SAVANNAH GUTHRIE. THAT’S THAT. THAT MAKES IT EVEN SWEETER. JASON GUY, WESH TWO NEWS. A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO CRAIG, WHO IS ALSO A WOFFORD COLLEGE GRADUATE. YOU CAN WATCH THE TODAY SHOW WITH SAVANNAH GUTHRIE AND CRAIG MELVIN RIGHT HERE ON WYFF4.COM. COMING UP NEXT ON WYFF NEWS FOUR TODAY. ONE LAST LOOK A

Greenville County had highest amount of human trafficking investigations in state in 2024

Updated: 10:45 AM EST Jan 13, 2025

Greenville County had the most human trafficking investigations in South Carolina in 2024, according to the state’s Human Trafficking Task Force Annual Report.(Video above: Monday headlines from WYFF News 4) The report, released Monday, shares data that details the extent of human trafficking in South Carolina.More news: Police send out warning after ‘warm-up’ car theft over weekendHere is what the report showed: In 2024, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigated 285 tips that included nearly 400 potential victims. A majority of the tips investigated involved minor victims. SLED’s data also showed that human trafficking investigations were in 40 counties, with only six not reporting a case. The counties with the most investigations in 2024 include Greenville (32), Richland and Charleston (31 each), Horry (22), Lexington (21), Berkeley (18), and Spartanburg (16). The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 64 trafficking incidents and a total of 111 likely victims. The top five counties for reported incidents include Greenville, Horry, Richland, Spartanburg, and Charleston. The Hotline noted that the number one location for labor trafficking is in small businesses while the top location for sex trafficking is hotels and motels.“I am grateful for the collective contributions of many in South Carolina’s anti-human trafficking efforts,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson. “Our state continues to be a model of how best to address this heinous crime.” More news: Lineup for Clemson Music Fest announcedIn 2024, the General Assembly appropriated $6.5 million for the development of residential programming specifically for minor victims. While the task force continues its work to prevent human trafficking, it will launch a grant program in 2025 to develop a minimum of three programs for girls and one program for boys. The program for boys will be the first of its kind in South Carolina. More news: Trial set to begin for pianist charged after woman was found ‘brutally stabbed’ in Greer home“The data tells us that traffickers are predominately targeting young people in South Carolina,” Kathryn Moorehead, Director of the Task Force, said. “Soon, we will begin the first phase of ensuring that children and youth who have been victimized get the care that they need.” To read the full report, click here: To report an incident or seek victim services, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. The hotline is confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. —

Greenville County had the most human trafficking investigations in South Carolina in 2024, according to the state’s Human Trafficking Task Force Annual Report.

(Video above: Monday headlines from WYFF News 4)

The report, released Monday, shares data that details the extent of human trafficking in South Carolina.

More news: Police send out warning after ‘warm-up’ car theft over weekend

Here is what the report showed:

• In 2024, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigated 285 tips that included nearly 400 potential victims.
• A majority of the tips investigated involved minor victims.
• SLED’s data also showed that human trafficking investigations were in 40 counties, with only six not reporting a case.
• The counties with the most investigations in 2024 include Greenville (32), Richland and Charleston (31 each), Horry (22), Lexington (21), Berkeley (18), and Spartanburg (16).
• The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 64 trafficking incidents and a total of 111 likely victims.
• The top five counties for reported incidents include Greenville, Horry, Richland, Spartanburg, and Charleston.
• The Hotline noted that the number one location for labor trafficking is in small businesses while the top location for sex trafficking is hotels and motels.

“I am grateful for the collective contributions of many in South Carolina’s anti-human trafficking efforts,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson. “Our state continues to be a model of how best to address this heinous crime.”

More news: Lineup for Clemson Music Fest announced

In 2024, the General Assembly appropriated $6.5 million for the development of residential programming specifically for minor victims. While the task force continues its work to prevent human trafficking, it will launch a grant program in 2025 to develop a minimum of three programs for girls and one program for boys. The program for boys will be the first of its kind in South Carolina.

More news: Trial set to begin for pianist charged after woman was found ‘brutally stabbed’ in Greer home

“The data tells us that traffickers are predominately targeting young people in South Carolina,” Kathryn Moorehead, Director of the Task Force, said. “Soon, we will begin the first phase of ensuring that children and youth who have been victimized get the care that they need.”

To read the full report, click here:

To report an incident or seek victim services, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.

The hotline is confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.