A man and woman from Plano, Texas, have been convicted for their roles in a sex trafficking operation. The verdicts were delivered on Thursday by a jury in the Eastern District Court of Texas, according to a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office. William McKinnley Garland, aged 43, was found guilty of coercion and enticement, as well as conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. His accomplice, Anastasiya Claire Lyons, aged 34, was convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
The case concluded after a seven-day trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan. Plano Police Chief Ed Drain emphasized the significance of the trial, stating, “This case was long, complex, and emotionally difficult, but it stopped dangerous offenders and gave survivors a chance to reclaim their lives.” He praised the bravery of the victims, many of whom had lived in fear for extended periods.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Garland and Lyons operated the trafficking ring in Plano from 2020 until 2023. A recruiter was reported to have scoured social media platforms to identify young women for the operation. Many victims were misled into believing they were being offered modeling or escorting opportunities, only to find themselves coerced into prostitution at various hotels in the Collin County area. Testimonies indicated that victims were forced into prostitution through threats and acts of humiliation.
The investigation has also implicated three co-defendants who pleaded guilty to related charges in 2025. Robberta Marie Khan, aged 29, from Euless, faces up to 20 years in federal prison after admitting to coercion and enticement. Two others, Jalen Alexander Bobo, aged 26, from Dallas, and Selena Rose McCombs, aged 25, from North Carolina, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and could face life sentences.
Sentencing for Garland and Lyons will be determined once court hearings are scheduled. The federal system allows for significant penalties in cases of this nature, reflecting the serious nature of their crimes.
In a statement regarding the broader implications of human trafficking, R. Joseph Rothrock, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Dallas Division, remarked, “Human trafficking is a heinous crime that often operates in plain sight and may go undetected for months or years. We will continue to work with our partners to assist victims and hold their traffickers accountable.”
This investigation was a collaborative effort between the Plano Police Department and the FBI’s Dallas division, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Miller and Chalana Oliver. The case underscores the ongoing battle against human trafficking and the critical need for vigilance and support for victims.
