8th person arrested in case of sexually assaulting children, animals in ‘underground bunker,’ officials say

BIBB COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) – An eighth person has been arrested in a case involving young children and animals being sexually abused in an underground bunker in Alabama, officials said.

Olivia Shailee Elam, 26, was indicted by a grand jury on several counts of rape, sodomy, human trafficking first-minor sexual servitude, and kidnapping. She is also charged with aggravated child abuse and sexual torture of a child less than 12 years old.

In total, Elam is charged with 34 crimes.

During a previous news conference, Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade identified seven other suspects as William Chase McElroy, Dalton Terrell, Sara Louise Terrell, Ricky Cecil Terrell, Rebecca Cecile Brewer, Timothy St. John and Andres Trejo-Velazquez.

According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began in early February.

The sheriff’s office said the underground bunker in question is located in Brent, about an hour’s drive southwest of Birmingham.

At least 10 children were allegedly drugged and taken to the bunker, according to the sheriff.

Officials say those victims were between 3 to 15 years old, and that some of the victims are related to some of the suspects.

Wade said multiple suspects are accused of paying to sexually abuse the children.

He said some children endured the torture daily, and the people selling the children for sex could make up to $1,000 a night.

“I know God’s forgiveness is boundless, but if there is a limit, we reached it,” the sheriff said.

Wade said he believes the abuse began in 2022.

The victims are now in custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

“It’s just unimaginable that someone could do this to a child,” Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones said. “Children are defenseless, and they depend on adults to take care of them and protect them. Then, when adults do these types of things to them, it’s just really horrific.”

The eight total suspects are facing the following charges:

William Chase McElroy

• 4 counts of rape in the first degree
• 6 counts of human trafficking in the first degree
• 6 counts of sodomy in the first degree
• 4 counts of kidnapping in the first degree

Dalton Terrell

• 6 counts of rape in the first degree
• 12 counts of sodomy in the first degree
• 5 counts of human trafficking in the first degree

Andres Trejo-Velazquez

• 6 counts of human trafficking in the first degree

Timothy St. John

• 2 counts of rape in the first degree
• 4 counts of sodomy in the first degree
• 4 counts of human trafficking
• 3 counts of kidnapping in the first degree
• 1 count of bestiality
• 1 count of aggravated cruelty to animals

Sara Louise Terrell

• 5 counts of rape in the first degree
• 9 counts of sodomy first degree
• 9 counts of human trafficking first degree
• 9 counts of kidnapping first degree
• Sexual torture/abuse
• Sex abuse-child less than 12 years old
• Aggravated child abuse

Ricky Cecil Terrell

• 5 counts of rape in the first degree
• 9 counts of sodomy first degree
• 9 counts of human trafficking first degree
• 9 counts of kidnapping first degree
• Sexual torture/abuse
• Aggravated child abuse

Rebecca Cecile Brewer

• 5 counts of rape in the first degree
• 9 counts of sodomy first degree
• 9 counts of human trafficking first degree
• 9 counts of kidnapping first degree
• Sexual torture/abuse
• Aggravated child abuse

Olivia Shailee Elam

• 5 counts of first-degree rape
• 9 counts of first-degree sodomy
• 9 counts of first-degree human trafficking
• 9 counts of first-degree kidnapping
• Sexual torture/abuse
• Aggravated child abuse

The U.S Department of Homeland Security has confirmed one of the suspects, Andres Trejo-Velazquez, is a verified member of the Sureños gang. During a news conference in July, Wade said this gang is known for child sex trafficking.

“Such abhorrent behavior will not be tolerated in Bibb County and that offenders will face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” said Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade.

Under Alabama law, if any of the suspects are convicted of a crime involving a child 6 years old or younger, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Two Alabama lawmakers are pushing to make the suspects eligible for the death penalty.

In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty can only be used in cases involving the loss of life.

However, Alabama Rep. Matt Simpson and Sen. April Weaver are pushing to change that.

They plan to file bills that would make those convicted of rape or sodomy of a child younger than 12 eligible for the death penalty.

“I defy anyone anywhere with any conscience or any sense of morals to look at this case and others like it and argue the death penalty is not appropriate,” Weaver said.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said that in his 25 years as a prosecutor, this is the worst case that he has ever seen.

At a press conference, the sheriff said he backs the effort.

The Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center said it is “deeply saddened” by these recent events, but it is proud to be part of a multidisciplinary team involved in the investigation.

“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.”

As the investigation continues, the center said it will continue to support the families and its partner agencies throughout the process.

If you have any information about this case, you are asked to contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 205-926-4683.