The founder of The WellHouse ministry in Birmingham, a full-service shelter to fight sex trafficking, was arrested in a drug raid at a Tarrant home.

Tajuan McCarty, a 47-year-old woman who often tells her own story of drug addiction, prostitution and being trafficked herself all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico, is among three people busted in the Wednesday-morning raid on Jackson Boulevard.

Tarrant police officers said they carried out the search warrant at the home after a three-month probe into criminal activity taking place there. The search turned up several guns, large amounts of cocaine, heroin, prescription medication, stolen property, stolen identities and marijuana.

McCarty, who last year signed a movie deal about her life and also joined the staff of Truckers Against Trafficking as a field trainer, is charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking in stolen identities, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Her bonds total $95,000.

Tarrant police said they learned McCarty was the WellHouse founder and recently started her own ministry in 2018 called Tajuan McCarty Ministries. She has a PayPal account set up and seeks donations for that ministry via Facebook.

Also charged was Octavius Owens, 37, and Jordan Owens, 21, both of Tarrant. They are charged with possession of a controlled substance and their bonds are set at $2,500 each.

Tarrant police Sgt. Phillip George commended the detectives and officers for their hard work and dedication to this case.

McCarty is a well-known speaker in Alabama and beyond. She tells how she ran away from home at 15 and met a man who offered to help take care of her. She was exploited by a pimp who began selling her into prostitution and forced her to sell drugs, which led her into a cycle of drug addiction and prostitution. While she was being trafficked all over the United States, Canada and Mexico, she spent so much time in Birmingham it became her home.

In 2009, according to a 2017 AL.com story, McCarty walked into the Birmingham Dream Center, founded by the Church of the Highlands in Woodlawn. She met counselor and radio show host Lisa "Roxanne" Richardson, who helped McCarty turn her life to Christianity. They began working together to reach out to prostitutes with a message of faith.

In 2011, McCarty founded The WellHouse, using her knowledge of sex trafficking to help other victims escape. The ministry was initially started in Birmingham but later moved to St. Clair County.

In 2013, she was among the inaugural class of "20 Women who make a Difference," a joint venture at the time between The Birmingham News/AL.com and Red Mountain Theatre Company.

In 2016, McCarty was a Spear Hero winner at the Vulcan Community Awards.

Executive Director Carolyn Potter on Thursday said McCarty has not been involved in the non-profit's operations for about four years and said they are saddened to hear of her arrest. "We only wish the best for Tajuan,'' Potter said, "and our prayers are with her at this time."

Tanya Hallford, McCarty's attorney, issued a statement Thursday night said they won't taint the legal process by commenting on the charges against McCarty. "To the victims Tajuan has helped over the years, do not let this situation set you back. There are better days ahead for Tajuan and there are better days ahead for you. Keep fighting against the strongholds that come with being a trafficking victim and survivor."