News Scrap

A Florida bail bondsman allegedly used his business to trade bond assistance for sex, authorities claim.

Russell “Bruce” Moncrief, owner of Moncrief Bail Bonds, allegedly forced women in the Orlando area to have sex with him in exchange for getting them out of jail. This revelation arrived after an investigation launched three years ago. Investigators uncovered disturbing instances going back at least a decade.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement that Moncrief targeted vulnerable inmates facing prostitution or drug charges in the Orange County jail. In disturbing detail, one woman described how inmates knew of the alleged operation, using chilling code words like “wash your car” or “lick your eyebrow” to signify Moncrief’s offer to bond them out in exchange for sex. Authorities reportedly caught Moncrief “in the act,” documenting his encounters with women in motels, restaurants, and other public places. Moncrief’s alleged victims say his exploitative practices often came with threats to revoke their bonds if they didn’t comply with his sexual demands.

The probe into Moncrief began in October 2021, spurred by the arrest of John Gillespie, a Brevard County attorney, on human trafficking charges in April 2020. Gillespie’s victims pointed investigators to Moncrief. His personal cellphone reportedly logged hundreds of calls from the jail, each one placed by female inmates.

In a searing statement, Moody declared, “The defendant used his position as a bail bondsman to prey on women in the criminal justice system. After bailing his victims out of jail, he continued to use his power over them to sell the women for sex to others for his financial gain. Working with MBI, we uncovered this sickening scheme, and we will prosecute the defendant on human trafficking and racketeering charges.”

Moncrief faces three counts of human trafficking and one count of racketeering. If convicted, Moncrief faces a staggering potential sentence of up to 125 years in prison.

Moncrief Bail Bonds, a business with roots dating back to 1978, operates across several Florida counties.