‘It happens everywhere’: 3 jailed under $750K bond in sex trafficking case of 15-year-old girl in Concord

CONCORD, N.C. (WBTV) - Deputies arrested three people who each have a $750,000 bond in a case involving the sex trafficking of a 15-year-old girl in the Concord Mills area of Cabarrus County.

On Tuesday, Jan. 25, Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit with the assistance of H.S.I., conducted an operation regarding human sex trafficking in the Concord Mills area of Cabarrus County.

Detectives used a known escort service website trying to identify potential underage victims of human sex trafficking.

“They pretended to be a john, made contact with this person that they thought looked very young, set a meet up spot, and the victim ended up showing up with three adults,” Detective Lieutenant April Samples told WBTV.

Detectives were able to successfully recover a 15-year-old girl from a hotel near Concord Mills.

She was not related to the adults with her.

After further investigation, detectives determined the three adults, Erica R. Cheeks, Walter Ardrey, and Keith Henderson, were using the minor victim to make money from sexual acts.

Det. Lt. Samples said all three tried to flee the hotel.

She says the men were stopped and arrested on scene. Cheeks made it back to Charlotte, where she was later arrested.

Hannah Arrowood is the Executive Director of Present Age Ministries, one local organization helping children caught in situations like this.

“We get referrals anywhere from four to 10 a month,” Arrowood said. “Case management, counseling, group sessions, mentor programming, tutor programming, assessments for school.”

She said warning signs that a child you know could be at risk for this kind of victimization include becoming disinterested in school and other typical activities. She also recommends monitoring social media and internet use, because the majority of grooming and trafficking begins through a computer screen.

Erica Cheeks, 34 years old, was arrested on Feb. 2 in Charlotte with the assistance of CMPD. She remains in the Cabarrus County Detention Center under a $750,000 secured bond. She is charged with human trafficking a child victim and promoting prostitution of a minor.

Walter Ardrey, 40 years old, was arrested on Jan. 25 and charged with human trafficking of a minor, promoting prostitution of a minor, and misdemeanor flee and elude. Ardrey was taken to the Cabarrus County Detention Center and given a $750,000 secured bond.

Keith Henderson, 32 years old, was arrested on Jan. 25 and charged with human trafficking of a minor, promoting prostitution of a minor, and simple possession of Schedule VI. Henderson was taken to the Cabarrus County Detention Center and given a $750,000 secured bond.

This is an ongoing investigation. If anyone has additional information concerning these individuals, please contact the VICE/Narcotics Unit at Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office at 704-920-3000 or if you wish to remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers at www.cabarruscrimestoppers.com or by calling 704-93CRIME.

Copyright 2022 WBTV. All rights reserved.