2 Upstate men charged in human trafficking investigation involving minor, SLED says – WYFF

Report on Human Trafficking Investigation in Greenville County, South Carolina

Executive Summary

An investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has resulted in human trafficking charges against two men in Greenville County. The case involves the sexual exploitation of a minor, highlighting critical issues addressed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning the protection of children, justice, and the eradication of modern slavery.

Case Details and Individuals Charged

The investigation, initiated at the request of the Greenville Police Department, has led to charges against two individuals for their involvement in trafficking a 16-year-old victim.

• Kamal Surinder Desor, 46: Charged on Monday with Trafficking in Persons (Victim Under 18) and a prostitution charge. According to an arrest warrant, Desor knowingly solicited and engaged in sex acts with the minor victim on April 2.
• Detrick Lamar Stenhouse, 45: Charged on October 20 with Trafficking in Persons (Victim Under 18). An arrest warrant states that on January 20, Stenhouse obtained the minor with the knowledge that the victim would be subjected to sex trafficking. He was already incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections on unrelated drug convictions at the time of this new charge.

Both men are accused of facilitating commercial sex acts involving the minor in Simpsonville. The case is connected to the June arrest of Brooke Elizabeth-Louise Foster on related charges.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This law enforcement action directly supports the achievement of several key Sustainable Development Goals aimed at creating a just and safe society.

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This case is a direct application of Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The coordinated efforts of the Greenville Police Department and SLED demonstrate the function of strong institutions in protecting vulnerable populations and holding perpetrators accountable. The prosecution by the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office further reinforces the commitment to justice.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The investigation aligns with Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.” By prosecuting individuals involved in sex trafficking, authorities are working to dismantle systems that disproportionately victimize women and girls.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • This case addresses Target 8.7: “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking.” Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery, and the charges filed represent a crucial measure to combat this illicit economy and protect human dignity.

Current Status and Legal Proceedings

• Kamal Surinder Desor has been booked into the Greenville County Detention Center.
• Detrick Lamar Stenhouse remains in the custody of the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
• The 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office will prosecute the case.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is central to the main story about the human trafficking investigation, which involves law enforcement (SLED, Greenville Police Department), arrests, charges, and the judicial process (13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office) to combat a serious crime.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article discusses sex trafficking, a form of violence and exploitation that disproportionately affects women and girls. This SDG aims to eliminate such forms of violence.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: This goal includes a specific target to end modern slavery and human trafficking, particularly concerning children. The charges of “trafficking in persons – victim under 18 years of age” directly relate to this.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is addressed through the report on a measles outbreak in the Upstate, including the number of cases and people in quarantine, which relates to combating communicable diseases. It is also relevant to the fatal car crash mentioned.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article mentions the distribution of over $400,000 to regional food banks to help them purchase essential items like meat, eggs, and milk, addressing food insecurity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • The article’s main focus is on two men charged with “trafficking in persons – victim under 18 years of age.” It specifies that the case involved a “16-year-old” who was subjected to “sex trafficking,” directly aligning with this target’s goal of ending child trafficking and exploitation.
2. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • The crime described is “sex trafficking,” a severe form of sexual exploitation and violence. The investigation and subsequent charges against the perpetrators represent actions taken to eliminate this form of violence.
3. Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking…
   • The entire news report details the “immediate and effective measures” taken by law enforcement (SLED) in a human trafficking investigation. The arrests and charges are direct actions aimed at ending human trafficking as called for by this target.
4. Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of… communicable diseases.
   • The article reports on “three new measles cases,” bringing the “total number of cases in the upstate outbreak to 55.” It also mentions public health measures like quarantine and isolation, which are efforts to control the epidemic of a communicable disease.
5. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • The article highlights that over “$400,000 is supporting regional food banks” and was used for “buying higher cost items like meat, eggs and fresh milk.” This action directly supports food banks in their mission to provide sufficient and nutritious food to those in need.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 16.2:
   • Implied Indicator (related to 16.2.2 – Number of victims of human trafficking): The article provides specific data points that contribute to this indicator, such as the identification of “a 16-year-old” victim and the specific form of exploitation (“sex trafficking”). The number of arrests (“Two men… have been charged”) also serves as a metric for the justice system’s response.
2. For Target 3.3:
   • Implied Indicator (related to 3.3.1 – Incidence of communicable diseases): The article provides precise figures that can be used to track the measles outbreak: “three new measles cases,” a “total number of cases… to 55,” “136 people in quarantine and two in isolation.” These numbers are direct measures of the incidence and public health response to a communicable disease.
3. For Target 2.1:
   • Implied Indicator (related to measuring food security support): The article quantifies the financial support provided to combat food insecurity: “more than $405,000, which was distributed to four food banks.” This monetary value is a clear indicator of the resources mobilized to ensure access to food.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: wyff4.com