Executive Summary
- The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts reported 1,432 human trafficking offenses filed between 2020 and 2024.
- Franklin, Berks, and Dauphin counties recorded the highest percentage of charges in the state.
- Data indicates 86% of convicted traffickers were male, while victims are often exploited by people they know.
- Franklin County’s statistics were skewed by a massive case involving a former constable charged with over 700 counts.
Central Pennsylvania has emerged as a significant focal point for human trafficking offenses within the commonwealth, according to a comprehensive five-year analysis released this week by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. The data indicates that prosecutors have filed 1,432 trafficking-related charges since 2020, with Franklin, Berks, and Dauphin counties accounting for the highest concentrations of these legal filings.
The judicial report highlights that the vast majority of cases involved male traffickers, with 86 percent of convicted defendants being men, primarily between the ages of 30 and 49. Franklin County accounted for the largest percentage of charges at 15 percent, followed by Berks County at 12 percent, and Dauphin County at 11 percent. The analysis suggests that the region’s extensive transportation networks and proximity to major metropolitan areas facilitate these operations.
Prosecutors in Franklin County attributed their statistical spike largely to a single, extensive case. District Attorney Ian Brink stated that the high volume of offenses was heavily influenced by charges brought against Timothy Heefner, a 66-year-old former constable. Heefner was arrested in September 2023 and faces more than 700 counts, including sexual exploitation and human trafficking, for allegedly operating a criminal enterprise targeting vulnerable young women.
In Dauphin County, authorities pointed to strategic enforcement and geography as key factors in the data. Jordan Pine, CEO of the advocacy group Greenlight Operation, noted that Cumberland and Dauphin counties are logistics hubs where 70 percent of North America can be reached within a day’s drive. However, Pine emphasized to reporters that not all trafficking involves travel, citing cases where victims are exploited within their own homes by family members or acquaintances.
Erin Varley, senior deputy district attorney for Dauphin County, told the press that while law enforcement is improving its response, the filed cases likely represent only a fraction of the actual criminal activity. Varley explained that investigations are often impeded by the reluctance of survivors to self-identify as victims and the complex psychological manipulation employed by traffickers.
Investigative Challenges and Legal Outlook
The discrepancy between the volume of active investigations and the number of filed charges underscores the significant evidentiary hurdles prosecutors face in human trafficking cases. While the high statistics in Central Pennsylvania indicate proactive law enforcement, they also highlight the reliance on complex, victim-centered testimony to secure indictments. The data suggests that judicial outcomes in this sector are heavily dependent on the resources available to specialized task forces capable of navigating long-term, multi-jurisdictional investigations. Regarding the specific charges mentioned in this report, including those against Timothy Heefner, it is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
