86-year-old man and Durham woman charged with sex trafficking a disabled teen
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- Durham police charged Cornelius Hines, 86, and Krista Winston, 44, with sex trafficking.
- Authorities say the pair allegedly held a 17-year-old intellectually disabled teen hostage.
- Investigators set high secured bail and continue probe; public urged to contact tips.
This story was updated Oct, 30, 2025.
Two Durham residents, including an octogenarian, appeared in court last week on allegations they sexually trafficked a disabled teen.
Cornelius Hines, 86, and Krista Winston, 44, are accused of holding a 17-year-old intellectually disabled teenager hostage to traffic her for sex, according to court documents.
Winston was arrested Oct. 17 on two charges of human trafficking of a child victim, two charges of sexual servitude of a child victim and one charge of involuntary servitude of a child victim, Durham police said.
On Oct. 30, Durham police said they have added two counts of promoting prostitution, one count of disseminating obscenity in the presence of a minor, one count of felony disseminate obscenity, six counts of sexual servitude of a child victim, five counts of indecent liberties with a child and six counts of human trafficking a child.
Hines was arrested Oct. 20 on four charges of human trafficking of a child victim, two charges of sexual servitude of a child victim and one charge each of second-degree forcible sex offense and sexual battery, according to court records.
On Oct. 30, Durham police said they have added four counts of promoting prostitution, one count of felony child abuse-prostitution, six counts of sexual servitude of a child victim, three counts of indecent liberties with a child and six counts of human trafficking of a child.
It’s not clear how long the alleged trafficking was going on or if there is any relationship between the pair. Police declined to answer The News & Observer’s questions but confirmed the two are charged in the same case.
Hines previously pleaded no contest to indecent liberties with a child and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile in May 1986 in Durham County, court records show.
The pair came under investigation after a minor called 911 about 10:30 a.m. Friday to report a sexual assault in the 1100 block of Worth Street, police said. Hines lives on that street, according to his arrest warrant.
In first appearances in court, Hines’ bail was set at $1 million secured, while Winston’s bail was set at $700,000 secured. If they are released, they may not contact the teen, and Winston may not return home, court documents show.
Police said their investigation remains underway. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator C. Park at 919-560-4440 x 29321 or Durham CrimeStoppers at www.durhamcrimestoppers.org or by phone at 919-683-1200.
A Riverside High School teacher established a Gofundme on Oct. 22 to raise money for the teen and her siblings, who have been placed with a relative, according to the fundraiser. The Gofundme had raised $20 of its $2,200 goal as of Oct. 23.
This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 1:53 PM with the headline "86-year-old man and Durham woman charged with sex trafficking a disabled teen."
