Grady County Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Florida Human Trafficking Suspect
By Carol A. Gasser Moore
GRADY COUNTY, Georgia — A routine traffic stop in Grady County has led to the arrest of a man wanted for human trafficking charges in Florida.
On Monday evening, April 14, deputies from the Grady County Sheriff’s Office attempted to pull over a Chevrolet Malibu around 9:30 p.m. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver fled, initiating a brief pursuit. The chase concluded when deputies successfully stopped the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Matthew Harris (24) of Augusta, Georgia. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered that Harris was wanted on human trafficking charges out of Escambia County, Florida.
Inside the vehicle, deputies found a woman who had been held against her will for approximately a month. Sheriff Earl Prince stated that Harris was en route to Tallahassee, Florida, with the intent to traffic the woman. The victim has since been rescued and is receiving assistance to reunite with her family.
Harris is currently in custody and awaiting extradition to Florida to face the pending charges. The Grady County Sheriff’s Office emphasized its commitment to combating human trafficking and ensuring the safety of all individuals within its jurisdiction.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement or contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
