Florence, South Carolina – A Florence Police Department undercover operation last month has led to a human se- trafficking charge against a man who is now being held without bond at the Florence County Detention Center.
The case began on April 30, 2026, when agents with the Florence Police Department Special Investigations Unit carried out an undercover prostitution operation. What started as an enforcement action soon developed into something more serious, as investigators identified a person they said was a victim of human se- trafficking.
According to the Florence Police Department, agents determined during the investigation that the victim was allegedly being trafficked for money by Justin Ailes. The victim also reported multiple previous assaults and told investigators she feared for her safety.
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Following those findings, authorities obtained warrants charging Ailes with Human Se- Trafficking.
The case moved forward on May 15, 2026, when Ailes was arrested by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office in connection with an unrelated matter. He was taken to the Florence County Detention Center, where he was later served with the Florence Police Department warrants tied to the trafficking investigation.
Ailes remains in custody with no bond.
The arrest highlights the kind of cases police say can emerge during undercover operations that are often aimed not only at making arrests, but also at identifying people who may be trapped in dangerous or exploitative situations. In this case, investigators said the victim’s statements about alleged assaults and fear for her safety became part of the broader investigation.
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The Florence Police Department said it remains committed to aggressively investigating crimes involving human trafficking and protecting victims from exploitation and abuse.
Human trafficking cases often involve more than one layer of harm, with victims sometimes facing intimidation, violence, financial control, or threats that make it difficult to seek help. Police did not release additional details about the victim or the unrelated matter that led to Ailes’ arrest by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
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The investigation remains centered on the warrants obtained by Florence police after the April 30 undercover operation and the information gathered by agents with the department’s Special Investigations Unit.
