Grovetown man arrested for sex trafficking, branding woman

A Grovetown man with a violent criminal history was arrested Tuesday after a woman he allegedly used for sex trafficking escaped and reported the abuse to authorities.

Joe Lewis Hills Jr., 36, of Grovetown, is charged with human trafficking for sexual slavery, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a news release from the Grovetown Police Department.

A 31-year-old woman entered the police station lobby in a panic around 3 p.m. Tuesday, claiming she was a victim of human trafficking, the news release said. She said she was held against her will for months while being taken to various cities around the state, where she was forced into prostitution.

The woman stated she had been held against her will for the past two weeks at a home at 4000 Grove Landing Way in Grovetown, the news release said.

She said Hills originally picked her up in Macon, before taking her to Savannah and then Grovetown, according to the press release. She said Hills repeatedly physically abused her during her time in Grovetown, including choking her to the point of unconsciousness, while also threatening her with bodily harm if she did not continue working as a prostitute, both inside and outside of the home.

According to the press release, the woman also showed officers where she was branded.

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She arrived at the police station Tuesday after Hills called her a ride to meet a man for sex, the news release said. When the ride picked her up, she asked them to take her to the police station.

Using license plate reading technology, investigators were able to verify the timeline and travel history of the woman and Hills from Macon to Savannah and Grovetown, as she told them, the news release said. As the woman spoke to investigators, Hills repeatedly called and texted her.

She was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation, the press release said.

Investigators contacted the local FBI field office, which sent an agent assigned to human trafficking to assist, the news release said. The agent substantiated the woman’s claims and indicated that the incident was part of a larger human trafficking ring with ties throughout the state.

While the woman was being questioned, detectives conducted surveillance at the Grove Landing home, the news release said. At approximately 5:54 p.m., Hills was seen leaving the home and a traffic stop was conducted. He was arrested without incident.

A search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence and further evidence was found to support the woman’s claims, the press release said. Narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, and two guns were found in the home.

A records check revealed that Hills is currently on federal probation for two previous bank robberies, the news release said. He was arrested and taken to the Columbia County Detention Center.

“This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges and arrests are expected as other individuals involved are identified,” the department said. “The Grovetown Police Department appreciates the assistance of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office who stood by to assist in entering the home if needed.”

Anyone with information about this case, or any other human trafficking related matter, is asked to contact the Grovetown Police Department at 706-863-1212.