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North Texas Sex Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years
A Plano man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a sex trafficking operation in North Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Wayne Edward Bearden, 40, pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2019, to being a felon in possession of firearms and to coercion, enticement and aiding and abetting, and was sentenced to a total term of imprisonment of 180 months by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant today.
According to information presented in court, Bearden was the organizer and leader of a sex trafficking operation that employed a ‘booker’ who coordinated the ads for sexual services, websites, and appointments for commercial sex appointments. The operation also used other women in managerial roles, transporting the prostituted women to locations around the United States, obtaining hotel rooms, and managing cash payments.
As the leader of the operation, Bearden controlled the acts the women performed, where they worked, how often they worked, how much money they made, with Bearden controlling the proceeds the prostituted women earned. As part of his plea, Bearden admitted to persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing women to travel to other states to engage in illegal prostitution.
Bearden will serve a total term of supervised release of five years after his release from prison.
In addition to Bearden, other members of the operation were previously sentenced by Judge Mazzant for conspiracy to travel or cause another to travel in interstate commerce and to use facilities of interstate commerce to promote, manage, establish, carry on and facilitate unlawful activity.
Ashlynn Clark was sentenced on July 2, 2020 to five months in federal prison, five months home detention, and one year of supervised release. Shelby Holzen was sentenced on June 4, 2020 to three years of probation. Ashley Judith Schafer was sentenced on June 3, 2020 to six months in federal prison, six months home detention, and two years of supervised release.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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