Florida bail bondsman accused of forcing women into bail sex – NBC 6 South Florida

After a years-long investigation, an Orlando-area bail bondsman has been arrested and accused of forcing women to have sex with him in exchange for letting them out of jail on bail, according to the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI).

Russell “Bruce” Moncrief, owner of Moncrief Bail Bonds, faces three counts of human trafficking and one count of racketeering, NBC affiliate WESH reported.

MBI evidence indicates that for more than a decade, Moncrief allegedly “used his position as a bail bondsman to prey on women in the criminal justice system” by targeting female inmates at the Orange County Jail for prostitution or drug offenses, Attorney General Ashley said Moody in a statement.

One woman told investigators that inmates talked about the alleged operation and said code words like “wash your car” or “lick your eyebrow,” meaning he would lock her out in exchange for sexual favors.

Authorities also said they caught Moncrief in the act and shared photos of him with women in motels, restaurants and other public places.

According to the MBI, it began investigating Moncrief in October 2021 after John Gillespie, a Brevard County attorney, was arrested on human trafficking charges in April 2020. Gillespie's victims told MBI that they had to have sex with Moncrief in exchange for being released from prison or for the release of others from prison.

Moncrief's alleged victims told the MBI that it was common knowledge among inmates that this practice occurred and that he threatened to revoke their bond if they did not cooperate.

His personal cellphone fielded several hundred calls from the Orange County Jail, and “every phone call was made by female inmates,” investigators said.

“The defendant used his position as a bail bondsman to exploit women in the criminal justice system. After freeing his victims from prison, he continued to use his power over them to sell the women to others for sex for his own financial gain.” “Working with MBI, we uncovered this heinous scheme and are prosecuting the defendants Prosecute human trafficking and racketeering,” Moody’s statement said.

If convicted, Moncrief faces up to 125 years in prison.

According to the company's website, Moncrief Bail Bonds, founded in 1978, has locations in Orange, Osceola, Brevard and Pinellas counties.

NBC affiliate WESH has reached out to the company for comment.