Wanted fugitive arrested in Asheville human trafficking ring that ensnared sheriff deputy

ASHEVILLE — A wanted fugitive from Buncombe County was arrested in Spindale Feb. 5 for his connection to a suspected human trafficking enterprise out of a hotel less than 2 miles from downtown Asheville, which was publicly announced by Asheville police in mid-June.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation contacted the Spindale Police Department in January regarding Milo Jamemall Henderson, “a wanted fugitive inside city limits,” according to a Feb. 5 news release from the Spindale police.

Henderson, who was wanted from Buncombe County on human trafficking charges, was found at a residence off Courtland Street in Spindale, a town in Rutherford County about 60 miles southeast of Asheville, the release said.

Detectives with Spindale police, the Forest City Police Department and SBI took Henderson, 40, into custody on Feb. 5 for the following charges:

• Two counts of human trafficking of an adult

• First-degree kidnapping

• Assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury

• Assault by strangulation

• Two counts of sexual servitude of an adult victim

• Two counts of promoting prostitution

The release said Henderson was being held without bond at the Rutherford County Detention Center, but he has a court appearance in Buncombe County District Court on Feb. 8, according to an online court calendar.

Previous reporting: Asheville police quiet on human trafficking ring investigation that snared deputy

"APD is grateful to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Forest City Police Department, and Spindale Police Department for their assistance in this investigation," spokesperson Samantha Booth said in a news release.

The Citizen Times reached out to APD, N.C. SBI and the Spindale Police Department for more information.

Henderson was one of four named people arrested on June 22 in connection to a suspected human trafficking ring, as announced by the APD. He was originally cited with five drug-related charges. Those charges are waiting to be put back on the court calendar by the district attorney’s office, according to the Buncombe County Clerk’s office.

Buncombe County Sheriff Deputy Chad Walker was one of the other individuals arrested and was charged with soliciting a prostitute by police officers at a Tunnel Road hotel east of downtown. Walker was fired by Sheriff Quinten Miller that same day.

Deputy charged, fired: New court date for ex-cop charged with hiring prostitute; human trafficking investigation

Walker was released from jail on a written promise to appear in court, the Citizen Times previously reported. His case was continued a couple times in administrative court, but he has a court appearance set for Feb. 9.

APD was at the hotel assisting Cherokee Indian Police Department officers in making an arrest when they observed what they said appeared to be human trafficking, including three different women at the hotel with multiple men coming and out of rooms, the Citizen Times previously reported.

Other investigation details

Kaley Brooke Locust, 23, was charged with felony possession of a schedule III-controlled substance, felony probation violation and possession of a controlled substance on jail premises, according to a previous APD release.

Jail records showed Locust was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility June 22, but she was released the same day, according to sheriff's spokesperson Aaron Sarver. Court records do not indicate any pending charges for Locust.

Paul Anthony Valdez Jr., 35, was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed gun, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a weapon of mass destruction and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. He was also charged with being a fugitive from another state.

Airbnb fraudster gets charges dismissed: Machete, chicken charges dismissed against Asheville Airbnb fraudster Johnson

Organized theft ring in Arden pawn shop: 2 plead guilty in Home Depot, Lowe's theft operation; 1 Arden pawn shop owner charged

In a July 14 hearing in District Court, Valdez told the judge he “knew nothing about the gun.”

“I can’t be around guns,” he said. “I have a special needs kid to take care of at home.”

Valdez was being held under a secured bond of $32,500 at the Buncombe County Detention Facility but was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals on Oct. 17, 2023, according to Sarver.

Several juveniles were also apprehended carrying firearms, the release said. They were released to their parents and the Department of Juvenile Justice was contacted.

APD encourages anyone who may have been a victim or has information related to a similar incident to contact the APD at 828-252-1110. Anonymous tips can be submitted by using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search "Asheville PD" in the app store) or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville fugitive arrested in connection to human trafficking ring