PIKE COUNTY, OH — A Texas man, Joshua Heflin of Burnet, was arrested in Pike County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, following a month-long investigation into an attempted human trafficking incident involving a 14-year-old girl, as announced by the Southern Ohio Organized & Major Crimes Task Force on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 8:41 AM EDT.
The collaborative effort involved Ohio Attorney General David Yost, Pike County Sheriff Tracy Evans, Pike County Prosecuting Attorney Michael A. Davis, Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman, Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer, New Boston Police, Scioto County Prosecuting Attorney Shane Tieman, and Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless. The Task Force began tracking Heflin after discovering his plans to travel from Texas to Pike County to exploit the juvenile. Through coordinated surveillance, agents apprehended him before any contact with the minor occurred.
A Task Force spokesperson stated, “This case shows how traffickers can cross state lines to target vulnerable youth, but it also shows the power of collaborative law enforcement efforts to stop these predators before they succeed.” Heflin is currently in custody, facing human trafficking charges, with further details on court proceedings to follow. The juvenile’s safety remains the priority for all agencies involved.
Heflin is currently being held in Pike County Jail for Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and importuning. He is being held at a 90,000 dollar bond.
