UPDATE, 6:23 p.m., Feb. 1, 2020: Person of interest turns himself in to police
From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BROOKSIDE — The Brookside Police Department is searching for suspects in connection to a horrific scene at an abandoned home.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, officers were called to the 100 block of Church Street to assist Alabama Power in an investigation over the theft of utilities.
Utility investigators said a white man fled from the home when they made contact with him. Brookside officers arrived on the scene and found a female prostitution victim inside. Police said the woman had been held in the home, drugged and forced against her will to have sex with men in exchange for money, drugs or stolen goods for more than a year.
Police said the home was in horrible condition with no running water or utilities, although it had been illegally wired for power.
“At approximately 12:15 p.m., the Brookside Tactical Operations Unit and Investigators executed a search warrant on the suspect residence,” police said in a statement. “Officers located a large amount of syringes, stolen credit cards and property from numerous victims in and around Jefferson, Walker, and Shelby county, narcotic paraphernalia, and additional confidential items of evidence.”
Two suspects have been identified, but they were not at the home when police executed the search warrant.
Investigators are looking for Logan Williams and Steve Hollier. The men are suspected of promoting prostitution, narcotics trafficking, theft of services, possession of drug paraphernalia, and other felonies. Active warrants have been issued for both suspects, according to Brookside Police.
Police are also searching for information on several men who sexually assaulted the victim.
“We would like to remind the public the threat of human trafficking, kidnapping, sexual abuse, and drug abuse in our society is real,” police said. “It is here. It is next door. It is across the street. It is everywhere. No community is immune to the threat. Be educated, vigilant, and protect yourself from becoming a victim. Stand with us in our fight for justice and always report suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
