Detectives from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office have arrested an Oakland resident accused of trafficking several women in the Turlock area. The arrest followed a months-long investigation by the department’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking (H.E.A.T.) Taskforce.
Devonte Hinkston, 33, was taken into custody on October 8 on suspicion of two counts of pimping and two counts of pandering, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He is currently being held at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center with bail set at $300,000.
The case began in May 2025 after a woman reported an assault and theft to deputies near Turlock. During their inquiry, she told authorities that she was being sexually trafficked. Over subsequent months, investigators identified additional victims who were allegedly involved in commercial sex trafficking connected to Hinkston.
The Sheriff’s Office did not provide details about where the trafficking took place or how victims were recruited.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with information related to this case to contact the Sheriff’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Taskforce at (209) 525-7114 or submit anonymous tips through Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at (866) 602-7463.
