In a quiet corner of Brent, Alabama, what appeared to be an ordinary storm shelter concealed horrors that have shaken this Bibb County community to its core.
Four men now face charges that “represent one of the most troubling and complex investigations” in the region’s history, according to local prosecutors.
The investigation that began on February 4, 2025, has unveiled allegations of a child sex trafficking ring operating from an underground bunker near Aaron Drive, where at least six children, with the youngest victim only three years old, were allegedly drugged and subjected to systematic abuse for more than a year.
The Arrests Unfold
William Chase McElroy, 21, was the first to be arrested in connection with the case. The underground shelter was located near his home, and he now faces four counts of rape in the first degree, six counts of human trafficking in the first degree, six counts of sodomy in the first degree, and four counts of kidnapping in the first degree.
As investigators dug deeper, they arrested Dalton Terrell, also 21, on April 25, 2025. Terrell faces six counts of rape in the first degree, twelve counts of sodomy in the first degree, and five counts of human trafficking in the first degree. Court documents reveal disturbing details about Terrell’s alleged activities, including allegedly paying adults for sexual access to their children.
Days later, on April 29, authorities arrested Andres Velazquez-Trejo (also reported as Trejo-Velazquez), 29, charging him with six counts of human trafficking in the first degree. According to prosecutors, Velazquez-Trejo allegedly played a central role in the operation, allegedly tied up and drugged four of the six children who were abused by the four men inside the storm shelter.
The most recent arrest came on July 22, 2025, when Timothy St. John, 23, of Chilton County was taken into custody. St. John faces an extensive list of charges including two counts of first-degree rape, four counts of sodomy, four counts of human trafficking, three counts of kidnapping, one count of bestiality, and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Inside the “Bunker of Hell”
Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones provided chilling details about what investigators discovered. The victims, ranging from 3 to 10 years old, referred to the place where they were abused as a “bunker” – an old storm shelter that had been converted into a chamber of horrors.
“Inside the storm shelter. There were chairs and beds and things of that nature, and the children were drugged,” Jones explained. The children were allegedly restrained in various ways – tied to beds, chairs, and poles – while being subjected to abuse.
Perhaps most disturbing, Jones revealed that “Mr. Trejo was allowing people to pay money to come in and have sex with the children,” indicating this was not just abuse by the four arrested men, but potentially a larger commercial operation.
A Community in Shock
The arrests have sent shockwaves through the rural Alabama community. Neighbor Misty Colburn, who lived near one of the suspects, expressed the raw emotion many are feeling: “I couldn’t imagine the amount of pain the children went through and the amount of pain that they should go through.” She added that she believes the men “deserve way worse” than prison.
Another neighbor, Keisha Dunlap, shared how the case has affected parents in the area: “It makes us want to hold our kids tighter and keep a better eye on them.” She noted that one of the suspects lived just two trailers away from her home.
The Investigation Continues
District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. warned that this case is far from over, stating there are “more anticipated arrests to follow” beyond the four men already indicted. Jones confirmed this, explaining that “There are some allegations with individuals that we will have a hard time identifying, just because we don’t know their names.”
The complexity of the case is compounded by the fact that many of the children were drugged during the abuse, potentially affecting their ability to identify additional perpetrators.
“It’s just unimaginable that someone could do this to a child,” Jones said. “Children are defenseless, and they depend on adults to take care of them and protect them. And then when adults do these types of things to them, it’s just really horrific.”
Jones, a seasoned prosecutor, called it “the worst case he’s ever had to deal with.”
Justice and Support for Victims
The victims are now in the custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, receiving care and support as the legal process moves forward.
The Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center (CARCAC) is working alongside multiple agencies to support the children and their families.
“The CARCAC is committed to a team-oriented approach to providing support to the child and family during such times,” the center said in a statement. “Our belief is that all children should be safe and protected from abuse, and we strive to attain this goal every day.”
Under Alabama law, the stakes for the defendants couldn’t be higher. If any of the suspects are convicted of a crime involving a child six years old or younger, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A Clear Message from Law Enforcement
Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade delivered a stern message in response to the arrests: “Such abhorrent behavior will not be tolerated in Bibb County and that offenders will face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case has brought together multiple agencies, including the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department, the 4th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, the Bibb County Department of Human Resources, and state and federal agencies – all working to ensure justice for the young victims and to uncover the full extent of this trafficking ring.
As this investigation continues to unfold, with more arrests potentially on the horizon, the Brent community and all of Alabama are left grappling with the reality that such evil could exist in their midst.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting society’s most vulnerable members – our children.
Let Justice Roll, With Baxley Maniscalco
If you or someone you know needs legal assistance with family law matters, including child custody issues, divorce proceedings, or other legal concerns, our experienced attorneys here at Baxley Maniscalco are here to help.
With decades of combined experience and a reputation for aggressive representation, the firm is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of families across Alabama.
Contact Baxley Maniscalco today at (256) 770-7232 or schedule a consultation to discuss your legal needs.
Can't find what you're looking for? Search our site below.
