Content warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of child sexual abuse. Please take care while reading.
Police have arrested seven individuals in connection with an alleged horrific child sex trafficking operation that authorities say involved at least ten children between the ages of 3 and 15 in Bibb County, Alabama.
Discovery and investigation
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office launched its investigation on February 4, 2025, following a report of possible child abuse involving an underground bunker near Brent, Alabama. Someone reportedly converted what was originally constructed as a storm shelter into a place where children were held and exploited.
According to investigators, the bunker contained beds, chairs, and restraining devices that were allegedly used to confine victims. Law enforcement officials describe the discovery as part of what appears to be an organized trafficking operation.
The allegations
Authorities allege that the suspects drugged child victims before restraining them within the bunker. Investigators claim clients paid for access to the children, though specific payment amounts have not been officially confirmed.
Court documents indicate that some of the arrested individuals are parents of victims. Among the alleged methods of control, authorities report the use of animal shock collars on children. Additional charges filed in recent months include animal sexual abuse and cruelty offenses.
The alleged abuse is believed to have occurred from January 2024 through April 2025, according to court records.
Suspects and charges
Seven individuals have been arrested in the case. Andres Velazquez-Trejo faces six counts of first-degree human trafficking and is alleged to have played a central role in the operation. Sarah Louise Terrell is charged with sexual torture and abuse and sexual abuse of a child younger than 12, with court records indicating she used shock collars on victims, including her children.
Other arrests include Rebecca Brewer for human trafficking, and Ricky Terrell, William Chase McElroy, Dalton Terrell, and Timothy St. John, who are all facing various trafficking-related charges.
Three suspects waived bond hearings and remain in custody without bond. Some have provided information to investigators, while others have denied involvement.
Current status of the case
The investigation remains active, with authorities anticipating additional arrests. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Department of Homeland Security to examine potential connections to broader trafficking networks.
Investigators believe more victims may be identified, including some who may not recall details due to alleged drugging. The case has expanded beyond the original February discovery, with new charges filed as recently as this month.
All rescued children are currently in the custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources and are receiving counseling services. The case represents one of the most significant child trafficking investigations in recent Alabama history, with law enforcement officials emphasizing their commitment to identifying all victims and perpetrators involved in the alleged network.
If you know someone suffering from sexual violence, contact RAINN or the National Sexual Abuse Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673
Published: Jul 25, 2025 04:37 pm