Bibb County sheriff holds press conference over arrests in child sex trafficking ring

BIBB COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — The Bibb County Sheriff Office held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to discuss the recent arrests surrounding a child sex trafficking ring that was uncovered earlier this year.

Seven people have been arrested in connection to the child sex trafficking ring: William Chase McElroy, Dalton Terrell, Andres Trejo-Velazquez, Timothy St. John, Rebecca Brewer, Ricky Terrell and Sara Terrell. Charges in the case include rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, sexual torture, human trafficking and kidnapping.

Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade said the case is believed to have ties to a gang affiliated with the Sureños‍, which he said is mostly funded through child sex trafficking. Wade said the gang is believed to get most of its money through child trafficking.

The suspects could have made up to $1,000 a night victimizing children. The case involves at least 10 victims ranging from three to 15 years old. The sheriff’s office said some of the suspects are related, but other suspects are acquaintances or people who paid to victimize children.

Wade said the investigation started in February after the Alabama Department of Human Resources received a claim of child abuse at a home on Aaron Drive. The sheriff’s office discovered sexual abuse was happening in a bunker behind the home.

Investigators described the bunker as a partially underground storm shelter detached from the house. The bunker had a dirty mattress, a few chairs and a small chest of drawers with a kitchen appliance on top.

“I’ve been in law enforcement for 33 years, and this is absolutely the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen when it comes to the victimization of children,” Wade said. “Like I say, I know God’s forgiveness is boundless. But if there was a limit to it, I think we reached it.”

Wade said he expects there to be more arrests and more victims discovered in the case.

The press conference can be viewed at the top of the article.