Tyler Trafficker Preyed on Vulnerable Teens

Tyler, TX – Desnique Deshawn Herndon, 27, of Jacksonville, Texas, has been convicted on federal charges for running a brutal sex trafficking operation targeting teenage girls in the Tyler area. The five-day trial concluded with a guilty verdict on six counts of sex trafficking of children and one count of conspiracy to commit the same. Herndon didn’t just exploit these girls; he systematically groomed them with false promises of wealth before turning them into commodities.

Federal prosecutors presented evidence showing Herndon used social media to identify and lure vulnerable teens, dangling the illusion of a better life. Once he’d gained their trust, he forced them into hotels across Tyler, then brazenly advertised their exploitation on sex trafficking websites – complete with explicit photos. The victims were as young as 13, a chilling detail highlighting the depravity of Herndon’s crimes. He treated these girls as nothing more than a means to profit, and the feds have now held him accountable.

This wasn’t a solo operation. Three of Herndon’s co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the trafficking ring. Malcolm Kadeem Roberts, 27, of Tyler, admitted to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking in October 2022, and also faces separate charges of aggravated sexual assault in Smith County. Patrick Lamont Cross, Jr., 27, of Palestine, Texas, and Tavarus D. Watkins, 27, of Jacksonville, also confessed to their involvement in the conspiracy, with Watkins specifically pleading guilty to interstate transport of a minor for illegal sexual activity.

Even while behind bars, Herndon attempted to continue his vile business. The prosecution revealed he actively worked to keep the operation running from jail, demonstrating a complete disregard for the law and the lasting trauma inflicted on his victims. The feds are now working to dismantle the entire network of enablers who assisted him. This case underscores the relentless efforts needed to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable youth.

Herndon now faces a potential life sentence in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined after a presentence investigation report is completed by the U.S. Probation Office, taking into account sentencing guidelines and the severity of the crimes. While no sentence can fully undo the harm caused, the feds hope to deliver a measure of accountability and prevent Herndon from victimizing anyone else.

This case was brought forward as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The investigation involved a multi-agency effort including Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Unit, and multiple local law enforcement agencies. The collaborative approach highlights the commitment to dismantling these criminal enterprises and rescuing victims before they fall prey to predators like Herndon.