Court Weighs Youthful Offender Status In Brent Trafficking Case

Two of the youngest of the eight defendants in the Bibb County child sex case are seeking youthful offender status. Timothy St. John Jr. and Dalton Terrell have asked the court for that declaration. The Bibb County District Attorney's Office says the request is under consideration by the court but there is no deadline for a ruling. However, the decision must be rendered relatively soon because all defendants in the case are scheduled for trial in June.

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The charges stem from the discovery of an underground storm shelter in Brent where as many as 10 children ranging in ages from just three to 15 were kept, sometimes bound, and sold out to pedophiles for rape, trafficking, and sexual torture. The abuse took place in a bunker adjacent to a residence, under a concrete pad with a carport over it, and was not easily distinguishable according to earlier statements by Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade.

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

In another court action involving a defendant in the case, Sarah Louise Terrell was present in court today, Prosecutors say the remaining proceedings focused on discovery between the prosecution and the defense.

Below are each of the defendants and their charges:

• Olivia Shailee Elam is charged with five counts of first-degree rape, nine counts of sodomy, nine counts of human trafficking of minors, nine counts of kidnapping, one count of aggravated child abuse, and sexual torture of a child under 12. Elam has no significant previous criminal history.
• William Chase McElroy is charged with four counts of first-degree rape, six counts of sodomy, six counts of trafficking, and four counts of kidnapping. Investigators say he admitted to inappropriate contact with a child. No major criminal history was noted before this case.
• Dalton Terrell faces five counts of rape, seven counts of sodomy, six counts of trafficking, and four counts of kidnapping. Investigators say he confessed to unlawful sexual activity.
• Rebecca Brewer is charged with first-degree rape, eight counts of trafficking, eight counts of kidnapping, and three counts of sexual torture.
• Ricky Terrell is charged with first-degree rape and sexual torture of a child under 12. He has prior drug arrests.
• Sarah Louis Terrell is charged with one count of sexual torture and two counts of child sexual abuse under 12.
• Timothy St. John, who has prior arrests for theft, burglary, and drug offenses, is now charged with two counts of rape, four counts of sodomy, four counts of trafficking, three counts of kidnapping, one count of bestiality, and one count of cruelty to animals.
• Andres Trejo-Velazquez is charged with six counts of trafficking. He is accused of sending explicit images and connecting victims with offenders. U.S. DHS has confirmed Trejo-Velazquez is a verified member of the Sureños gang.

The case has drawn national media attention.