Frisco Man Sentenced to 75 Years for Stabbing Lyft Driver During Plot to Kidnap 13-Year-Old

FRISCO, Texas - A 20-year-old Frisco man has been sentenced to 75 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery for a violent attack on a Lyft driver in December 2024. Prosecutors said the defendant stole the driver's vehicle as part of a plan to kidnap a 13-year-old child.

Antwain Karmen Williams, 20, received the sentence from a Collin County jury after prosecutors presented evidence that he repeatedly stabbed the rideshare driver, slashed his throat and stole his vehicle on Dec. 16, 2024.

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced the sentence, saying the attack nearly killed the driver, who survived after undergoing emergency surgery.

Lyft Driver Stabbed in Throat and Hand During Robbery

According to prosecutors, Frisco police responded to a 911 call on Dec. 16, 2024, reporting that a vehicle had been stolen at knifepoint.

Officers located the victim suffering from multiple stab wounds, including a slashed throat and a severely injured hand.

Before undergoing emergency surgery, the victim told investigators that he was a Lyft driver and that the person who attacked him had been a passenger in his vehicle.

The driver survived his injuries.

Investigators determined that Williams had requested the ride using a false name.

Snapchat Messages Revealed Alleged Plan to Kidnap Child

Within hours of the attack, Frisco Police Detective Justin Freeman obtained information from Lyft identifying the passenger who had booked the ride.

Although the account used a fictitious name, the associated email address and telephone number led investigators to Williams.

Detectives also discovered that Williams had an outstanding arrest warrant for sexual performance of a child involving a 13-year-old victim.

According to the Collin County District Attorney's Office, investigators recovered Snapchat messages indicating that Williams planned to steal a vehicle that night to kidnap the same child involved in the pending case.

In one message, Williams wrote, "I'm boutta get a car."

Investigators also recovered a Snapchat photograph showing Williams holding the stolen vehicle's keys while smirking. The photograph included the caption, "we mobile baby."

The messages and photograph became part of the evidence presented against Williams.

Suspect Crashed Stolen Vehicle Before Arrest

Law enforcement officers tracked Williams after the robbery.

According to prosecutors, Williams attempted to flee in the stolen vehicle but crashed into another car.

Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Justin Diaz subsequently took him into custody.

During an interview following his arrest, Williams initially claimed that a fictional person named Landon was responsible for the attack.

He later changed his account, alleging that the Lyft driver had locked him inside the vehicle and that he attacked the driver only to escape.

Prosecutors presented evidence contradicting those explanations.

Jury Hears Evidence Involving Other Minors

Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, leaving the jury to determine his punishment.

During the punishment phase, prosecutors presented evidence involving the pending sexual performance of a child case and other alleged misconduct.

Frisco Police Detective Walker Martin testified about evidence recovered from Williams' phone concerning his relationship with the 13-year-old.

Jurors also heard evidence that Williams had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a 14-year-old.

Prosecutors further alleged that Williams recorded and posted videos of sexual encounters with two former girlfriends, who were 16 and 17 at the time, without their permission.

The jury also heard evidence that Williams had threatened to attack another person upon his release.

The allegations involving minors were presented during the punishment proceedings. The district attorney's announcement did not indicate that Williams had been convicted of those separate offenses.

Collin County Jury Delivers 75-Year Prison Sentence

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury sentenced Williams to 75 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for aggravated robbery.

Judge Jim Pruitt presided over the proceedings.

District Attorney Greg Willis said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the attack and the evidence presented during the trial.

"This man attacked a hardworking Lyft driver at knifepoint, nearly killing him with a slit throat and severe wounds, as part of a plan to kidnap a 13-year-old child," Willis said. "A Collin County jury heard the full evidence and delivered a 75-year sentence. Our community won't tolerate this kind of violence."

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Haynes and Anthony D'Amore prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers.