Child Trafficking Ring Uncovered: At Least 10 Kids Sexually Tortured In Alabama
The disturbing case came to light after the Sheriff Department raided a property described as an underground bunker.
Authorities in Bibb County, Alabama, have arrested seven individuals in connection with an alleged child trafficking operation that involved severe sexual abuse of minors, some reportedly as young as two years old. The arrests followed an intensive investigation by the Bibb County Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies.
The disturbing case came to light after the Sheriff Department raided a property described as an underground bunker, where at least 10 children were allegedly held captive under inhumane conditions for up to three years. According to reports cited by the New York Post, some of the horrific acts of sexual abuse was allegedly facilitated by adults closely related to the victims, including their parents.
'This is one of the most horrific cases we've ever encountered," said Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade during a press briefing on July 23. 'The level of cruelty and betrayal inflicted upon these children is beyond comprehension."
The suspects arrested include Sara Louise Terrell, Ricky Terrell, and Dalton Terrell, members of the same family, along with Rebecca Brewer, William Chase McElroy, Andres Velazquez-Trejo, and Timothy St. John. They face a range of charges including sexual abuse, human trafficking, and child endangerment.
Meanwhile, the rescued victims have been placed under the care of the Alabama Department of Human Resources and are receiving counselling and medical attention. 'No child deserves this, the power and control of it, the stealing the innocence of a child and the horrible victimisation they went through with these monsters," said Sheriff Wade.
As per court documents, Velazquez-Trejo would drug the victims. The children would then be kept in horrific conditions, often tied to furnitures, while their clients would sexually abuse them after paying a sum of up to $1000. Meanwhile, McElroy would force victims to perform sexual acts on each other. He would often teach it to them by being a part of the act and forcing himself on the victims, revealed Bibb County Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones.
Sara Louise was allegedly behind the idea of putting animal shock collars on the genitals of the children for either punishing them or for own sexual satisfactions. These victims also include her two children and those of Velazquez-Trejo.
Other inhumane acts included purchase and sell of children, and their nude images. At this time, the total number of children victimised in the trafficking scheme has not been determined, as the investigation continues in close collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security. Authorities are also exploring potential connections between the gang and Seranos, a notorious Mexican sex-trafficking organisation.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
37 minutes ago
- Mint
What is CTE? All about brain disease New York Shooting gunman Shane Tamura claimed he was suffering from
The 27-year-old suspected gunman behind the deadly shooting at 345 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan reportedly left behind a multi-page suicide note pointing to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a key factor in his actions. Shane D. Tamura, a former athlete, shot and killed four people — including a New York police officer — before turning the gun on himself on the 33rd floor of the 44-storey skyscraper on Monday. The building also houses the headquarters of the National Football League (NFL), which authorities believe Tamura deliberately targeted. According to the New York Post, the note refers to his mental health struggles and links them to his past involvement in football. He reportedly blamed the sport for causing his CTE, a brain disease associated with repeated head injuries. The note, cited by CNN, read: 'Football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze. You can't go against the NFL; they'll squash you.' Tamura also requested that his brain be studied after death, referencing former Pittsburgh Steelers player Terry Long, who also suffered from CTE and died by suicide in 2006. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive brain condition believed to result from repeated blows to the head. Early symptoms may be mild or go unnoticed, often including depression, aggression, mood swings, and personality changes. As the disease progresses, people may experience confusion, memory loss, and difficulty with planning or decision-making. In advanced cases, movement problems can also develop. CTE has been most commonly observed in athletes involved in contact sports such as American football, boxing, and hockey, as well as military veterans exposed to blast injuries. The condition typically develops years after repeated head trauma and worsens over time. Tamura, 27, has been identified as the prime suspect in the Manhattan shooting that claimed the lives of four people, including NYPD officer Didarul Islam, and left one person injured. Authorities confirmed that Tamura died by suicide following the attack.
Mint
4 hours ago
- Mint
Ryanair passenger breaks down after being denied boarding over luggage size
A Ryanair passenger was reduced to tears and dropped to her knees after being denied boarding at a Bulgarian airport due to an oversized piece of luggage. The incident, which occurred on July 24, was captured on video and has since gone viral. The video shows the female traveller trying to squeeze her luggage into a holdall at the airport. Despite being informed by staff that she would need to pay an extra baggage fee as the bag did not meet size requirements, the woman refused and insisted she could make it fit, according to the New York Post. Read | Nora Fatehi breaks down at airport as she heads out of India after cryptic post After multiple attempts, she eventually managed to force the bag into the holdall. However, airport staff still refused to let her board the flight. In tears, she pleaded with police officers while dozens of passengers watched from behind a glass door. Witnesses said the woman began banging on the door and calling for help as more staff surrounded her. Exhausted, she eventually collapsed to her knees. The footage was recorded by Nikolay Stefanov, who described the scene as escalating quickly. He said the woman had pleaded with other passengers not to leave without her, but airport officials reportedly threatened to cancel the flight if they didn't board the shuttle bus. Fearing further disruption, passengers complied and left. Read | Indian woman appeals to MEA after getting 'stripped' by male officer at US airport over power bank in handbag According to Stefanov, many were shocked by what they described as a lack of compassion from staff, who still refused the woman entry even after she managed to fit her bag. The incident drew the attention of Bulgaria's Parliament. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov ordered an investigation, calling the staff's conduct 'outrageous'. He directed officials to review airport CCTV footage and said the main ground handling operator would face the 'highest fine' along with a verbal warning. In response, the airport maintained that its staff had acted 'professionally and without any physical contact with the passenger.' 'All rules regarding passengers' baggage, its permissible size and the fees payable for baggage are determined solely, entirely and unilaterally by the airlines,' the ground handling company said. Read | 'Scariest flight ever': Indian woman recounts ordeal after being stuck in Kuwait amid Iran-Israel conflict The incident comes amid growing criticism of Ryanair's baggage policies. Earlier this month, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary confirmed that the airline pays bonuses to agents who spot and charge passengers for oversized bags. 'We're flying largely full flights, about half the passengers can bring two bags and the other half can only bring one — because that's all that fits in the plane,' O'Leary said, adding that the company follows an 'aggressive' policy on excess luggage. Agents reportedly receive a €1.50 (£1.28) bonus per oversized bag they flag.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
NFL headquarters shooting update: After killing an NYPD officer, Shane Tamura let one woman flee before targeting his next victims
Shane Tamura allegedly killed NYPD officer first and let woman escape (Image via New York Post) In a shocking display of violence on Monday evening, 27-year-old Shane Davon Tamura from Las Vegas unleashed chaos in a Manhattan high-rise, leaving four people dead—including an off-duty NYPD officer—and another critically injured. The incident unfolded at 345 Park Avenue, a prominent building that houses major firms like Blackstone and the NFL headquarters. Officer Didarul Islam among first shot, shooter let a woman live before final killings According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Tamura arrived at the location in a black BMW armed with an M4 rifle. Surveillance footage captured him exiting the vehicle and walking directly into the lobby, where he fatally shot Officer Didarul Islam, a Bangladeshi immigrant and three-and-a-half-year NYPD veteran. "One additional male is shot in the lobby, per his statement from the hospital," Tisch confirmed. After killing a security guard hiding behind a desk, Tamura entered an elevator. In a chilling moment of clarity, he allowed a woman to leave unharmed before riding up to the 33rd floor. There, he shot and killed another woman before taking his own life. 'One person was struck and killed on that floor,' Tisch told reporters. Gunman crossed multiple states before attack; had history of mental illness Investigators revealed that Tamura's journey to New York was a cross-country drive starting from Las Vegas. He was tracked passing through Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and New Jersey before arriving in Manhattan just hours before the shooting. His vehicle contained a revolver, multiple magazines, and additional ammunition. Authorities have confirmed Tamura had a history of mental health struggles, raising fresh concerns over interstate tracking of potentially dangerous individuals and the ease of access to assault weapons like the AR-15-style M4 he used. Mayor Eric Adams called the incident "a tragedy on many levels" and highlighted Officer Islam's heroism. Islam leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children. This incident has reignited debates around gun control, mental health, and security protocols in private commercial buildings—even those staffed by paid NYPD details. Also Read: NFL headquarters shooting: Police respond to shocking active shooter rampage in Midtown Manhattan FAQs 1. Who was the shooter in the Midtown Manhattan incident? Shane Tamura has been identified as the gunman in the deadly Midtown Manhattan shooting near NFL headquarters. 2. Did Shane Tamura target anyone specifically? Tamura fatally shot an NYPD officer, allowed a woman to escape, and then opened fire on others. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
