Federal jury convicts two Plano residents of Collin County sex trafficking

A federal jury found two Plano residents guilty after a seven-day trial that exposed a coordinated sex-trafficking operation targeting young women in the Collin County area. Prosecutors said William McKinnley Garland, 43, was convicted of coercion and enticement and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, while Anastasiya Claire Lyons, 34, was convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

Evidence presented at trial showed Garland, Lyons and co-conspirators recruited victims through social media by promising modeling or escorting work, then forced them into prostitution at hotels across the area through violence, threats and humiliation. Testimony detailed physical abuse and control tactics used to keep victims compliant. Three co-defendants previously pleaded guilty in 2025 and are awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated locally by the Plano Police Department in coordination with the FBI’s Dallas division and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas. Sentencing dates for Garland and Lyons will be set after presentence reports are prepared.

For Collin County residents, the convictions highlight both the prevalence of online recruitment tactics and the importance of cooperation between local and federal agencies in combating trafficking. Hotels, online platforms and community groups in Plano and neighboring municipalities have been part of the operation’s geography, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance where transient activity and commercial lodging intersect with vulnerable populations.

The trial record also emphasizes the trauma inflicted on victims and the long road to recovery they face. Local law enforcement officials point to the necessity of victim-centered responses and interagency coordination to disrupt networks that exploit social media and temporary lodging. The convictions may bolster ongoing efforts to train hotel staff, social service providers and neighborhood watch groups to recognize signs of trafficking and to report suspicious activity promptly.

Beyond immediate public-safety concerns, the case has implications for how Collin County balances community openness with protective measures. The involvement of the FBI’s Dallas division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office signals federal attention to trafficking patterns that cross municipal boundaries, and it may lead to increased resources and joint training for local responders.

Sentencing will determine penalties for Garland and Lyons and will be closely watched by victims and community leaders alike. For residents, the verdict is a reminder to remain alert to recruitment schemes online, to support survivors seeking help, and to report suspected trafficking to law enforcement so that coordinated investigations can continue to protect vulnerable people in Collin County.