Gag Order Issued In Disturbing Bibb County Child Abuse Case

In a legal case that has garnered national and international media attention, it is not surprising that the judge in the Bibb County child sex ring case has issued a gag order. Eight suspects have been charged so far in connection with an underground bunker where at least 10 children were sexually abused. The Bibb County Sheriff and District Attorney's office have repeatedly said more arrests are possible.

Bibb County Circuit Judge Donald McMillan's gag order prohibits attorneys and law enforcement to speak to media but does allow reporters into the courtroom without recording devices.

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The order outlines what the court will and will not allow as the case proceeds:

1. No attorney for the State or Defense, shall address the media in any way by any means during the pendency of this case.
2. No law enforcement agency associated with this case, shall address the media in any way by any means during the pendency of this case.
3. The media shall be permitted to attend court but shall at no time be permitted to record the proceedings by any means.
4. This Order does not prevent the State or law enforcement from speaking to the media regarding any new arrests, investigations, etc., but this order shall apply once those cases are in court.
5. This order may be modified on a filed motion, or the Court’s own motion, at any time.

During recent court hearings, seven of the suspects, Rebecca Brewer, William "Chase" McElroy, Andres Trejo-Velazquez, Sara Terrell, Ricky Terrell, Olivia Elam, and Timothy St. John were arraigned in court, each pleading not guilty or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

In court filings, attorneys for some of the defendants had asked for a more restrictive gag order barring all media from pre-trial hearings and sealing all court records for the case. Those attorneys argued that allowing media in and leaving the records unsealed would prevent a fair trial.

The victims in the case were all underage, some preteen.  They were reportedly sedated with liquid ecstasy and GBH during the two years of sexual abuse in an underground storm shelter in Brent.

Anyone with information about this case is being asked to contact the Bibb County Sheriff's Office at 205-926-4683.