Multiple additional arrests were made in a horrific underground bunker operation victimizing children and animals.
Sheriff Jody Wade struggled during a press conference Wednesday as he announced the additional arrests and revealed shocking details. He said he believes many more suspects will eventually be arrested, but the latest arrests included two women and two men.
Timothy St. John, Jr., 23, is charged with two counts of first-degree rape, four counts of first-degree sodomy, four counts of human trafficking, three counts of first-degree kidnapping, bestiality, and aggravated cruelty to animals.
Rebecca Brewer is charged with eight counts of human trafficking, eight counts of first-degree kidnapping and three counts of sexual torture.
Rickey Terrell is charged with first-degree rape.
Sara Louise Terrell is charged with sexual torture and two counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old.
1819 News broke the story in May.
Andres Trejo-Velazquez, 29, of Brent, was indicted on six counts of first-degree human trafficking.
William Chase McElroy was indicted on 20 charges, including human trafficking, rape, sodomy and kidnapping.
Dalton Terrell was indicted on 22 charges, including kidnapping, rape and sodomy.
According to court documents, the ages of the children at the time they were victimized range from two to 10.
At least one suspect has ties to a gang where the main source of income is human trafficking, Wade said. In some cases, the suspects were the parents of victims.
The children have been removed and are in custody of the Department of Human Resources, although Wade said he believes there are more victims who have not been discovered.
"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.
The sheriff's office also investigated a drug case at the home where the underground bunker was located. An elderly lady, presumably one of the suspect's grandmothers, lived in the home, but the sheriff's office said that it would be easy for people to enter and exit the bunker without anyone in the house noticing.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.