Man pleads guilty to prostitution, drug charges from 2023 human trafficking investigation
Milo Henderson was sentenced to more than four years in prison on March 31, 2025, after pleading guilty to assault by strangulation, promoting prostitution, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell/deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia (Photo: Buncombe County District Attorney's Office)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A man pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges stemming from a human trafficking investigation at an Asheville hotel in 2023.
BUNCOMBE DEPUTY AMONG SEVERAL ARRESTED AMID POSSIBLE HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION
According to the Buncombe County District Attorney's Office, 39-year-old Milo Henderson was sentenced to more than four years in prison on March 31, 2025, after pleading guilty to the following charges:
- Assault by strangulation
- Promoting prostitution
- Possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine
- Possession with intent to sell/deliver methamphetamine
- Maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substances
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
The investigation began after a joint operation between the Asheville Police Department and the Cherokee Indian Police Department in June 2023, when officers were investigating a person with outstanding warrants.
During the investigation, the district attorney's office said officers found evidence of possible human trafficking at the Econo Lodge on Tunnel Road.
The district attorney's office said an investigation linked Henderson to suspected trafficking activity, and a search of hotel rooms turned up a trafficking amount of methamphetamine and crack cocaine.
ASHEVILLE MAN FACES HUMAN TRAFFICKING CHARGES RELATED TO 2023 OPERATION
As previously reported, Henderson was arrested in Feb. 2024 and initially charged with human trafficking, sexual servitude, first-degree kidnapping and assault.
The incident also ensnared a former Buncombe County deputy, who pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution in 2024.
FORMER BUNCOMBE COUNTY DEPUTY PLEADS GUILTY TO SOLICITATION OF PROSTITUTION
Henderson pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg and was sentenced to an active prison term of 53 to 82 months.
The court also ordered Henderson to have no contact with the victim. The district attorney's office said the victim was advised of the plea and approved the outcome.
