DESOTO, Texas — A DeSoto man will spend the rest of his life in federal prison after being found guilty of drugging young girls and forcing them into commercial sex, officials announced.
Anjum Zafar Mian, 42, was convicted in July 2023 after a two-day trial of 15 counts of sex trafficking adults and children, as well as the sexual exploitation of children, said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigh Simonton.
According to evidence presented at trial, Mian forced at least two teen victims – ages 16 and 17 – to engage in commercial sex by saying he would harm their families if they didn’t comply.
Evidence showed that Mian brought another 17-year-old to Texas from Oklahoma, not letting her return home when she asked and made her engage in commercial sex. Officials also said Mian attempted to traffic an adult woman from Oklahoma, who called police after Mian assaulted her.
Some of Mian’s victims even testified at his trial, saying he went by the names “AJ” and “Dre”, and he used explicit photos of them to advertise sex services.
According to court documents, Mian communicated with customers by using messaging apps, and then supplied the young girls with drugs and alcohol before delivering them to those customers. Two of Mian’s victims testified that Mian raped them while they were unconscious.
Mian was sentenced to life on Friday, Oct. 13 by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Conner.
The Arlington Police Department conducted the investigation in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas field office. The Dallas Police Department, DeSoto Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety also assisted in the case.
“I am extremely proud of the men and women who worked diligently together in order to bring justice to each of the survivors,” said Arlington Police Chief Al Jones.
“With the declaration of a life sentence, HSI is yet again successful in removing a dangerous predator from the community,” HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes Jr. said. “Investigating those who exploit children is one of our highest priorities. We will use every resource available in seeking prosecution of those who traumatize and victimize our most vulnerable."
If you believe you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, call your local law enforcement or 24-7 confidential National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
