Three individuals were charged by an indictment with coercion and enticement and aiding and abetting following a years-long Plano PD investigation. Two of the individuals were also charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
“The Eastern District of Texas is proud to work with our local and federal partners to stand against the exploitation of vulnerable persons,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “This indictment represents the first step toward dismantling an organization in which individuals profited from commercial sex, including from women who were threatened or forced into prostitution.”
William Garland, 40, of Plano, Jalen Alexander Bobo, 24, of Dallas and Roberta Marie Khan, 27, of Euless, were charged by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas yesterday. During the investigation, evidence revealed that young women were allegedly recruited to work for Garland as escorts, where they were allegedly forced into performing commercial sex by Garland and those working under his direction through violence or threats of violence.
“I am extremely pleased with the collaboration and diligence on the part of our Plano Police detectives, our FBI partners, and the United States Attorney’s Office in this investigation,” Plano Police Chief Ed Drain said. “These investigative efforts brought several violent offenders to justice and restored the peace, tranquility, and safety, not only to our community but to the victims of these egregious crimes. Our continuing work will leave no stone unturned in an effort to identify those who aid in perpetrating these offenses and to provide assistance and justice to those who fall victim to these offenders.”
Garland was taken into custody on Dec. 11 after a federal search warrant was executed on his Plano residence. The raid made headlines when neighbors recorded the FBI raiding the home in an otherwise “quiet neighborhood,” though they were not surprised at the raid due to witnessing lots of activity in the middle of the night, neighbors told NBC 5. If convicted, according to a press release by the U.S. Department of Justice, Garland and Bobo face a maximum term of life in federal prison, and Khan may be sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison.
“Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters and unfortunately, these encounters are far more common than most people realize,” said Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough. “Collaboration with the Plano Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office was critical to identify and arrest the alleged traffickers and as we continue the investigation and move forward to prosecute the perpetrators, we hope to identify additional victims in order to provide the services and support they need to regain their dignity, identity and sense of self.”
Investigators believe that there are other individuals who worked for or had interactions with this organization and are encouraging any members of the public with information about the case or potential victims to call Plano PD at 972.941.2044. An indictment and arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt, a press release added. This case is being investigated by the Plano Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa J. Miller.
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