SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A central Florida bail bond company owner has been arrested on human trafficking and racketeering charges, according to the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.
MBI officials said in a release that the owner, Russell “Bruce” Moncrief of Moncrief Bail Bonds, became the subject of the investigation in October 2021.
The investigation was conducted after local attorney John Gillespie was arrested on similar human trafficking charges in 2020, the statement said.
2020 John Gillespie Post Arrest Booking Photo (Orange County Jail)
“Gillespie’s victims alleged that they had to have sex with Bruce Moncrief in exchange for their release from prison, or for others to be released from prison,” the release states. It is written.
Investigators said MBI agents met with several women and told them it was “common knowledge” that this type of behavior occurred.
“Moncrief used his position as a bail bondsman to solicit prostitution and to coerce women into sexual acts,” the release adds. “If a woman refuses sex, she will not be bonded or her bond will be revoked.”
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Additionally, investigators said they found evidence that Moncrief had been engaged in this activity for more than 10 years. As a result, MBI issued search warrants in August 2024 at Moncrief Bail Bonds offices in Orange, Osceola, and Brevard counties.
Moncrief was arrested Monday and booked into the Seminole County Jail without bail. He faces charges of extortion (for using the bail bond business in connection with suspected criminal cases) and three counts of human trafficking, the release states.
This is an ongoing investigation. If you have been a victim of this behavior, please contact MBI at (407) 836-9701.
No additional information is provided at this time.
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