FBI Investigating Possible Gang Ties To Bibb County Child Exploitation Case

When the initial arrests were made in the Bibb County child sexual exploitation case, authorities suspected there may be a connection to gangs working with Mexican cartels. Now the Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing a potential link between one of the eight suspects, a violent Southern California gang, and the "Mexican Mafia" prison gang.

The horrifying case in Bibb County first gained public attention in July when authorities announced they had uncovered a child sexual abuse and trafficking ring operating out of an underground storm shelter in Brent. The investigation, which began in February, has led to multiple arrests.

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The Bibb County Sheriff's Office reported the abuse began as early as 2022 and happened regularly, with suspects being paid for customer access to ten children, some as young as three. The operation allegedly brought in up to $1,000 per night.

Federal authorities have accused Andres Trejo-Velazquez of being a member of the Sureños gang, one of the most violent gangs in the U.S. In online documentation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security describes the Sureños as a, "Violent gang known for its long history of transnational crime. DHS says the group assists Mexican cartels with drug smuggling, illegal weapons trafficking, and other criminal enterprises, extortion, and prostitution including child exploitation."

Trejo-Velazquez has been accused of selling children for sex here in West Alabama in an operation that has taken place for years. The FBI is tracking the money in the Bibb County case to determine if it can be connected back to a gang of organized criminals.

The Sureños are also known as Sur 13 with hundreds of cliques around the United States. They and their affiliates pay tribute to the Mexican Mafia and the number "13" is their symbol signifying "M" in the alphabet for Mexican Mafia. Membership and cliques associated with the Sureños are expanding faster than any other national-level gang in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Justice's National Gang Intelligence Center's National Gang Threat Assessment.

Some of the suspects have admitted guilt, others have not. They are all scheduled for a court date in June 2026, when they will face charges of rape, sodomy, trafficking, and kidnapping.

A judge has issued a gag order in the case but is allowing law enforcement and prosecutors to discuss any new arrests. Authorities believe more victims and suspects exist and have called on anyone with information to contact the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.