Anthony Patterson Convicted of Child Sex Trafficking

Anthony Patterson, former president of the Patterson Auto Group, is on trial for 13 counts of child sex trafficking and abuse, stemming from incidents in 2017. After two weeks of testimony, the jury began deliberating on November 18, 2024, but did not reach a verdict by the end of the day. Closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense emphasized the need for jurors to rely on logic amidst emotionally charged testimonies from child victims. On November 19, the jury found Patterson guilty of five counts, including child trafficking, which could lead to a life sentence. The trial was relocated to Tarrant County due to concerns over media influence on the proceedings. The punishment phase is set to follow the verdicts, where the jury will determine the consequences of Patterson's convictions.