Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that 27-year-old Tyler Wakefield, a convicted predator, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after a series of escalating attacks on women. Wakefield was arrested after stalking, ambushing, and attempting to assault multiple victims across Collin County.
On July 22, 2022, Wakefield ambushed a woman visiting a friend’s apartment in Plano. He forced her into a stairwell and attempted to assault her, only stopping when a passing car and a resident startled him. Before fleeing, Wakefield stole the victim’s phone, smashing it to prevent her from calling 911.
Later that same day, Wakefield returned to the apartment complex, where a witness managed to capture a photo of his license plate. This evidence led directly to his arrest.
Following the attack, Plano Police launched an intensive surveillance operation. Over the next few weeks, detectives observed Wakefield stalking women in various locations, including following a jogger in Anna and trailing lone women in parking lots. Wakefield was finally intercepted by law enforcement while attempting to target a woman in Allen.
Wakefield pleaded guilty to robbery and faced sentencing before Judge Kim Laseter. The court heard testimony about his violent and predatory behavior, including multiple assaults, an aggravated assault with a vehicle where he rammed a woman's car while her child was inside, and his repeated stalking of women in public places.
Judge Laseter sentenced Wakefield to 15 years in prison, within the sentencing range for robbery, which is 2 to 20 years or probation.
District Attorney Greg Willis commended the courageous victim and the thorough police investigation that led to Wakefield’s conviction. "Wakefield was a serial predator who terrorized women in their own communities. This sentence ensures he won’t be able to harm anyone else for a long time."
