Sheriff says Alabama lawmaker, school board leader charged

What the sheriff said

An Alabama sheriff said a state lawmaker and a school board president were charged with human trafficking. The sheriff’s statement identifies the alleged offense but does not identify the two people by name.

What is known about the case

The report does not state which Alabama county handled the case, when the charges were filed, or which court has jurisdiction. It also does not describe the allegations, identify any alleged victims or list additional charges.

A criminal charge is an accusation. It is not a finding of guilt. The people charged would have the opportunity to respond in court.

What comes next

The next public steps in a criminal case can include the filing of charging documents, an initial court appearance and decisions about release conditions. Court records would establish the names of the defendants, the exact charges and the status of the case.

The sheriff’s office, the court handling the case and the defendants’ attorneys may provide additional details as the case proceeds.