A Collin County jury has sentenced 46-year-old Frisco resident Anthony Dewayne Taylor to life in prison after convicting him of sexual performance of a child, officials said. Jurors heard that Taylor abused a North Texas girl over multiple years and, according to prosecutors, even directed lewd acts from an Oklahoma jail while he was already facing other charges.
Prosecutors Say Jail Calls Sealed the Case
According to CBS News, prosecutors told jurors that Taylor abused the victim when she was roughly 14 to 16 years old and that he reconnected with her family after he was paroled from an Oklahoma sentence in 2020. Investigators played recorded jail calls in which, they say, Taylor instructed the girl to engage in lewd acts while he was locked up in Oklahoma on a separate murder charge. The Collin County District Attorney's Office said the jury ultimately returned a life sentence and assessed a $10,000 fine.
How Investigators Built the Case
Prosecutors say the victim disclosed the abuse to relatives in December 2022, and her family then reported the allegations to the Frisco Police Department. The child later underwent a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. Frisco detectives gathered corroborating evidence and secured recordings of Taylor's Oklahoma jail calls from Oklahoma City police, which were played for jurors during the Collin County trial.
What the Felony Charge Covers Under Texas Law
Texas law defines "sexual performance by a child" as sexual conduct, or a visual depiction of sexual conduct, involving anyone under 18 years old. The crime is a felony, and penalties increase based on the victim's age and other aggravating factors. The statute is codified at Penal Code §43.25, and the full text and penalty scheme are available through Justia.
DA Praises Verdict as Protective for Kids
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis publicly praised the jury's decision, saying the punishment protects the public and local children, according to CBS News. Recent posts in the Collin County DA newsroom highlight several other high-penalty prosecutions of child predators, reflecting the office's hard-line approach to repeat and violent offenders.
Victim Support Services and What Comes Next
Officials have not said whether Taylor plans to appeal his conviction or sentence. For families seeking help, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County and the Frisco Police Department's Victim Assistance program offer forensic interviews, advocacy, and counseling. Both list contact information and resources for victims and caregivers on their websites, including through the City of Frisco.
