Not surprising at all. What is typical in Alabama is that there are many small communities and cities scattered throughout the state. Most have the same dynamics - largely unemployed, economically depressed, subpar educational opportunities, higher than average crime, and higher than average drug problems. They also have minimal law enforcement presence and therefore make it easy for criminals, sex offenders, and the like to operate or hide. The fact that this case has drifted from Birmingham proper to Bessemer, Brighton, and Hueytown is not surprising.