A Plano man and woman have been convicted of federal sex trafficking offenses in the Eastern District of Texas, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
William McKinnley Garland, 43, was found guilty by a jury of coercion and enticement as well as conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Anastasiya Claire Lyons, 34, was convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. The verdicts followed a seven-day trial before U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.
“William Garland and Anastasiya Lyons preyed on vulnerable young women to lure them into their web. Through horrific physical abuse and psychological manipulation, they exploited women into selling their bodies for the benefit of Garland, Lyons, and the other co-conspirators,” said United States Attorney Jay R. Combs. “I urge the public to report known or suspected human trafficking by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733. I commend the brave victims who stepped forward in this case to report what was happening to them. Only by working together can we end this scourge.”
Plano Police Chief Ed Drain commented on the outcome: “William Garland and Anastasia Lyons conviction is the result of years of dedicated work by our detectives, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and it sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals,” he said. “From high‑risk operations to reviewing massive amounts of evidence, this team’s commitment brought justice to survivors and stopped dangerous offenders. This case was long, complex, and emotionally difficult, but it stopped dangerous offenders and gave survivors a chance to reclaim their lives. The courage of the victims, many of whom had been living in fear for years, is something we will never forget. I am incredibly proud of the men and women of this department and honored to stand alongside professionals who pour their time, skill, and heart into protecting our community.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock added: “Human trafficking is a heinous crime that often operates in plain sight and may go undetected for months or years. The victims in this case were deceived by false promises of well-paying jobs. Instead, they were physically abused and forced into becoming commercial sex workers,” he said. “We will continue to work with our partners to assist victims and hold their traffickers accountable.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that between 2020 and December 2023 in Plano, Garland and Lyons operated a sex trafficking ring that recruited young women through social media platforms under false pretenses such as modeling or escorting opportunities with high earnings potential. However, these women were forced into prostitution at hotels across Collin County using violence—including beatings—and methods such as tasers, shock collars, cold showers, unwanted tattoos, humiliation tactics, along with threats against themselves or family members.
Three co-defendants pleaded guilty in 2025 on related federal charges; Robberta Marie Khan faces up to 20 years after pleading guilty on May 21; Jalen Alexander Bobo could receive up to life imprisonment following his plea on May 27; Selena Rose McCombs also faces up to life after her December plea.
Garland and Lyons face possible life sentences pending further court proceedings which will follow completion of presentence investigations by probation officials.
The investigation involved collaboration between Plano Police Department detectives and FBI Dallas Division agents; prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Miller and Chalana Oliver.
