Human trafficking hits home
Melina Bell, of Russell Springs, is charged with human trafficking.
EDITOR’S NOTE-Details in the following story may be disturbing for some readers.
Staff Report
A Russell County woman has been charged with human trafficking following an alleged incident last week, authorities said.
Melina Bell, 47, of Russell Springs, was arrested Friday for alleged human trafficking, court records said.
A criminal complaint filed in Russell District Court by Kentucky State Police Trooper Maverick Gadberry said Tuesday, at 10 p.m., Bell “unlawfully committed offense of Human Trafficking…by having communications with Trevor Taylor of McCreary County for the purpose of setting him up ‘with someone to talk with.’ Said defendant then provided Trevor Taylor with a fifteen (15) year old female…to meet with and have sexual relations.”
“Affiant (Trooper Gadberry) states that Mr. Taylor admitted to meeting with said 15 year old and digitally penetrating her as well as having her to perform oral sex on him,” the criminal complaint said.
“Affiant further state that victim stated that she had sexual intercourse with Mr. Taylor. Affiant states that Mr. Taylor further stated that he sent defendant $55 dollars via cash app for said meeting stating that he tried to get refund because ‘he had paid too much.’ ”
An additional criminal complaint filed by Trooper Gadberry involving Taylor said the defendant allegedly “committed the offense of Rape 3rd…by being over 21 years of age and having sexual intercourse with a fifteen (15) year old female following a solicitation from a family friend, Melina Bell to connect the two together.”
Bell “is currently charged with Human Trafficking,” the trooper’s criminal complaint said.
A uniform citation said Trevor Dean Taylor, 29, of Whitley City, was arrested Friday upon “Execution of complaint warrant…for Russell Co. Court” on a charge of alleged rape, third degree.
The “Russell District Court Warrant of Arrest” was “signed by Judge S. Latham on 4/17/2026,” the citation said. “Trooper Gadberry is the Affiant on this case.”
At presstime, Bell was to appear in Russell District Court for an arraignment, authorities said.
She is presently incarcerated in the Russell County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash bond.
