TEXARKANA, Texas -- A DeKalb, Texas, man was arrested recently for two counts of felony solicitation of prostitution in Bowie County.
Ryan Allan Layne, 46, was arrested Oct. 27 by agents with the Texas Department of Public Safety on the charges and released the following day after posting bonds totaling $20,000. According to a probable cause affidavit, Layne came to the attention of members of the DPS criminal investigation division during a human trafficking investigation.
Layne allegedly paid women working in the sex trade with cash and digital money transfer applications such as Venmo. A woman identified in the affidavit as "Adult Victim #1" allegedly told investigators she became involved in prostitution after developing a drug addiction.
She allegedly was paid by Layne for sex on multiple dates. Text messages and digital money transfer application records allegedly support the woman's claims.
According to the affidavit, text messages show Layne negotiating price and type of sexual activity expected in lewd and explicit terms. Layne is accused of paying for sex on Sept. 10 and Sept. 16.
Effective Sept. 1, individuals charged with solicitation face six months to two years in a Texas state jail. Before that date the offense was a Class B misdemeanor. Individuals with a prior conviction for solicitation may now be charged with a third-degree felony and if the offense involves a minor, the punishment range increases.
The change in the law is intended to deter human trafficking.
Earlier in October, DPS arrested an Idabel, Oklahoma, man for felony solicitation in Texarkana, Texas, and three other men were charged with misdemeanor attempted solicitation.
Layne faces six months to two years in a Texas state jail on each of two counts of felony solicitation if convicted.