AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story contains graphic details from proceedings in the trial of Anthony Patterson that involve alleged sex crimes against child victims. Discretion is advised before reading. If you know or suspect that any child under the age of 18 is being abused sexually, please call the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 252-5400.

TARRANT COUNTY ( KFDX/KJTL ) — Testimony continues in the trial of Anthony Ryan Patterson on Thursday morning, with prosecutors continuing to present its case to the jury of eight men and four women in Fort Worth.

TIMELINE: The trafficking, child sex crimes case against Anthony Patterson

Former president of the Patterson Auto Group, Patterson, 48, of Wichita Falls , stands accused of multiple counts of human trafficking and child sex crimes.

Testimony began on Monday afternoon, November 4, 2024, in Auxiliary Trial Room A in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth. A recap of prior proceedings can be found below:

READ MORE: The latest in the case against Anthony Patterson

A running live blog of opening arguments and testimony in the trial of Anthony Patterson from Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, can be found below. Refresh this story often for updates.

— A picture of the phone Allen analyzed is admitted into evidence and shown to the jury without objection. The phone is a Samsung Galaxy S9. He testified he was unable to unlock the phone.

— Allen testified that he utilizes CellBrite to unlock phones and extract information from them. He testified in March 2021, he received a request from the District Attorney's Office to extract data from a cell phone.

Judge Kennedy called the jury back into the courtroom. A witness is called to the stand out of order. Grona-Robb called Mike Allen with the U.S. Secret Service to the stand.

Grona-Robb passed the witness to the defense for cross-examination. Lead defense attorney Toby Shook asked to approach the bench. Counsel for the prosecution and defense held a brief conference with Judge Kennedy, who then dismissed the jury for a morning break. Testimony is set to resume in about 15 minutes.

— Davis testified that Patterson was arrested in February 2021. His mugshot from his first arrest was shown to the jury. Grona-Robb asked Davis to identify Patterson if he was in the courtroom. Davis pointed to Patterson.

— Davis testified that the Patterson Auto Group advertised often in the Wichita Falls area. An area known as "The Mile of Cars" is referenced. A photo of the Patterson Honda Dealership is shown to the jury. Davis testified that the Patterson Auto Group also had advertisements prominently displayed on billboards around Wichita Falls.

— Several maps, including one showing the path from Vernon to Wichita Falls, as well as a portion of Southwest Parkway, are admitted into evidence without objection, as are photos of Patterson's residence. Davis walked the jury through the path to get to the home and gave descriptions of the residence.

— Davis testified that several days later, Ranger Weaver obtained an arrest warrant and search warrant of Patterson's home and business. Davis testified he was present for the search of both the home and business on Feb. 3, 2021. He testified that multiple search warrants were obtained for various electronic devices, as well as financial records and "Backpage" data.

— Davis testified that he and Ranger Weaver conducted a sting operation by fitting Bell with a wire and dropping her off near Patterson's residence. He testified that law enforcement officials watched the residence to notify him when Patterson was home. He testified the operation occurred on January 29, 2021. He testified that no one answered the door when Bell knocked.

— Davis testified that Bell directed him to a residence near the Bill Bartley YMCA in Wichita Falls, where she alleged the incidents happened. He testified that when he arrived at the home, Ranger Weaver showed him on his phone the tax appraisal record of the address, showing the residence belonged to Patterson.

— Davis testified that things changed in the case in 2021 when Bell was arrested. He testified that he checked Bell out of jail and that he, along with Bell, Bell's attorney, and Texas Ranger Jake Weaver, in order to drive her to the location where she took the girls.

— Davis testified that much of the investigation occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. He testified that he attempted to contact "Boy Gentry" and Mischa, who allegedly drove Bell and the girls to "Anthony". He testified that, to his knowledge, Bell didn't have a ride to Wichita Falls and hustled them for a ride from Vernon. He testified that he was unaware they had any knowledge of what happened with "Anthony". He testified that he was unable to contact "Boy Gentry", and while he did make contact with Mischa, she hung up on him and didn't answer his subsequent phone calls.

— Davis testified that based on the information he'd gathered from his investigation, he was able to determine the location of the alleged sexual activity involving children was in the area of Southwest Parkway, a well-known thoroughfare in Wichita Falls. He testified that Bell had agreed to meet him and show him where the incident had occurred, but she failed to show up. He testified that a Wichita County grand jury returned a sealed indictment on Bell for indecency and trafficking.

— Davis testified that he sought out Bell and it was difficult to find her. He testified that once he came in contact with Bell, he asked her to pick out Patterson from a photo lineup. He testified that she did not pick him out from the lineup, however, she circled her finger around Patterson's photo, then jumped to another photo with her hand.

— Davis testified that he went to an elementary school in Vernon to conduct an interview with the alleged victims in the case against Bell. He testified that the girls did not identify Patterson in a photo lineup.

— Davis testified that due to the prominence of the Patterson family, authorities operated the Patterson case on a "need-to-know" basis, keeping the investigation secret. He testified that he was worried about what might happen to evidence if people connected to the Patterson family found out about the investigation.

— Davis testified that he became involved with the case against Jandreani Bell due to the fact that it may involve Anthony Patterson. He testified that the Patterson family was very prominent in Wichita Falls and their charitable donations in the community. He testified they were very well known.

— Davis testified that he's worked in law enforcement for over 20 years, including his time as the Chief Investigator with the District Attorney's Office. He testified that he's served on a joint task force with the FBI and that he's taken several human trafficking training courses through the FBI. He testified that human trafficking cases are difficult.

Brooke Grona-Robb, on behalf of the prosecution, called Tye Davis, Chief Investigator with the Wichita County District Attorney's Office, to take the stand.

Several matters are taken up with 78th District Court Judge Meredith Kennedy outside of the jury's presence. The jury was called into the courtroom just after 9:20 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texoma's Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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