MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. – A Crane Hill man is facing multiple charges, including first-degree human trafficking.
Bud Winston Cunningham, 48, is charged with:
- 13a-6-152 first-degree human trafficking
- 13a-6-122 electronic solicitation of a child
- 13a-6-124 traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act
- 13a-12-260 unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia
- 13a-12-212 dangerous drugs – methamphetamine
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, supported by the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office and Covenant Rescue Group, conducted an anti-human trafficking operation in Hartselle March 6-7, 2025.
According to the MCSO, “During the operation, six individuals – including a Crane Hill resident – targeted and solicited who they believed to be a child, 15 or younger, but were undercover law enforcement officers. When they traveled to meet the child, they were met by undercover investigators, and taken into custody.”
The release continued, “These predators found our undercover investigators through online platforms, social media, and other online portals. Parents, it is important that you to get involved in your child’s digital life. The devices you permit them to have provide them with direct access to the world, and the world gains direct access to them. Don’t let them be victims by being exposed to extreme evil at such a young and influential age. These offenders agreed to pay to engage in sexual acts with children and then traveled to designated locations in Morgan County to commit these sex crimes.”
According to MCSO, all subjects arrested in this case are being held without bond in the Morgan County Jail. It said each will have an Aniah’s Law hearing to determine if bond will be denied.
