2 accused of bonding out female inmates to induce them into trafficking

MADISONVILLE, Ky. (WFIE/Gray News) - Two people face charges after an investigation revealed they used the court bond system to target female jail inmates for human trafficking, according to the Madisonville Police Department.

Madisonville police said they received information in July that Bryan Allison was using the court’s bond system to induce female drug users into exploitative sexual activity and drug trafficking. Investigators discovered Allison had bonded out several women and had nearly $30,000 in bonds within the court system.

On July 29, officers stopped Allison for an unrelated traffic violation. Allison and three women in the vehicle were arrested for suspected heroin possession, police said. A search warrant executed at Allison’s home turned up suspected illicit drugs, a stolen gun and trafficking-related items.

As the investigation continued, officers further reviewed Hopkins County Jail records, financial files and inmate communications. According to police, they discovered that Josie Crafton introduced and “pimped out” several female inmates to Allison over jail video calls. Police said Allison financially compensated Crafton and then bonded the women out of jail.

Allison is charged with human trafficking – commercial sex activity. Crafton is charged with promoting human trafficking.

The Lexington Police Department assisted Madisonville police in locating Crafton and taking her into custody. Police said the investigation is ongoing.