Birmingham man arrested on drug charges, human trafficking charges expected

Chico Allen. Photo courtesy of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

A man from Birmingham has been arrested on multiple charges, including trafficking of methamphetamine, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Human trafficking charges are expected, as a follow-up investigation revealed that the man was allegedly keeping women at a hotel as prostitutes.

Chico Allen, 40, had been the subject of a narcotics investigation by the sheriff’s office. Allen had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court on a charge of receiving stolen property in the first degree. They also received information indicating that he was staying at a hotel on Crestwood Boulevard in east Jefferson County.

When investigators went to the hotel to arrest Allen for the warrant on July 5, they were told by two women that he was not there. After checking another location, investigators found him as he was driving away. He was stopped and arrested.

Allen was found in possession of a stolen handgun, as well as suboxone and close to two ounces of methamphetamine, the sheriff’s office said. In addition to the outstanding warrant he was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property in the second degree, carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Allen is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond.

“Back at the hotel, investigators continued their investigation. They learned that the two women were kept in the hotel room to serve as prostitutes. Information was developed that indicated the women were possible victims of human trafficking,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

The FBI was contacted to assist in the human trafficking investigation. Investigators came back to the hotel on Friday, July 6. They learned that other women were allegedly being held as prostitutes and that “a third possible victim of human trafficking was identified.”

Charges for human trafficking against Allen are expected after the investigation is completed.