Man arrested after human trafficking victim ambushed Grovetown police

***WARNING: The following details are graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.***

GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After a human trafficking victim walked into the Grovetown police station in a panic Thursday, investigators arrested a man accused of holding her captive for months across the state, authorities say.

On Tuesday, July 23, at approximately 3 p.m., a 31-year-old woman (hereinafter referred to as the Victim) entered the lobby of the Grovetown Police Department in a panic and told authorities that she was a victim of human trafficking and had been held against her will for several months and transported to various cities across the state where she was forced into prostitution.

The victim stated she was held against her will at 4000 Grove Landing Way in Grovetown for the past two weeks, officials say.

The victim told officers that she was taken to Grovetown by the suspect, 36-year-old Joe Lewis Hills Jr., who originally picked her up in Macon before taking her to Savannah and then eventually to Grovetown, officers said.

According to authorities, the victim stated that since her stay in Grovetown, Hills has repeatedly physically abused her, including choking her to the point of unconsciousness and threatening her with physical harm if she did not continue working as a prostitute, both at home and outside of the home. The victim also stated that she was “branded” on her body.

The victim stated that earlier that day, she told Hills that she had to meet a “john” and then called a rideshare service. When the service picked her up, she instructed them to take her to the Grovetown Police Department.

By using license plate reading technology, investigators were able to verify the victim’s timeline and travel with Hills from Macon to Savannah to Grovetown, as she had told them.

Investigators then contacted the local FBI field office, which sent a human trafficking agent to assist. Using the details provided by the victim, the agent was able to corroborate her claims while also indicating that she was part of a larger human trafficking organization with connections across the state.

While the victim was speaking with investigators, Hills repeatedly called and sent her messages. The victim was subsequently transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

While the victim was being interviewed, investigators conducted surveillance of the Grove Landing home. At approximately 5:54 p.m., Hills was observed leaving the home. He was then stopped and arrested without incident.

A search warrant was obtained and executed for the apartment, and further evidence was found to support the victim’s allegations. Several narcotics were discovered in the apartment, including methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. Two firearms were also seized.

A review of Hills’ records revealed that he is currently on probation for two previous bank robberies.

Hills was arrested and taken to the Columbia County Detention Center and charged with human trafficking for sexual servitude, cocaine possession, methamphetamine possession, marijuana possession, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges and arrests are expected once the other people involved are identified.

Grovetown Police would like to thank the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in assisting with entry to the home when needed. If anyone has any information regarding this case or any other human trafficking cases, please contact Grovetown Police at 706-863-1212.

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