3 charged with human trafficking in connection with death of 18-year-old North Texas woman

COLLIN COUNTY, Texas – The Collin County District Attorney's Office has charged three people in connection with human trafficking and the death of an 18-year-old man.

Julia Wells was killed when prosecutors say she was lured into a prostitution trap and then pushed by a moving car on a Dallas North street. Her death led to a new Texas law.

This is the first time Collin County authorities are prosecuting human trafficking resulting in death, a first-degree felony.

Julia's mother says she was notified Tuesday that the three suspects had been arrested in three different cities in North Texas.

Mark Dailey, 51, of PlanNikki Jordan, 48, from Fort Worth and Anna Hudson, 42, of Mabank were arrested earlier this month in connection with human trafficking charges.

Dailey was charged with trafficking resulting in death, trafficking and forced prostitution. Jordan faces mandatory charges of trafficking and prostitution. Hudson was charged with trafficking

It's a moment six years in the making for Mary Wells, Julia's mother.

“It was such a relief. So much relief. We've been waiting a long time. A long time,” she said. “I just don't understand how people can do that. I don't.”

In May 2018, state troopers say Julia was pushed by a vehicle on DNT. That vehicle was registered to a known human trafficker from Collin County.

Mary says Julia had autism and had faith. Julia was 18 years old and lived with her boyfriend in Cleburne.

The last thing Maria heard from her daughter was that she was going to a friend's house in Dallas.

“From what I'm told, she brought him in, made him feel safe and comfortable and then sold him,” she said.

Mary was later told by investigators that Julia's friend was 42-year-old Anna Hudson. Six years later, she's still not sure how the two met.

The indictments say Hudson, Jordan and Dailey were all involved in the trafficking of young women, including Julia.

In 2021, House Bill 985also known as the Julia Eells Act, went into effect. Requires driver education to include prevention of human trafficking.

Mary is also president of the board of the non-profit organization Breaking the Chains of Human Trafficking.

“Our biggest thing is we want to make sure Julia gets justice,” she said. “She didn't deserve what she got. She didn't deserve anything from them.”

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis says he hopes “this will serve as the first step in seeking justice for Julia in a court of law.”

Authorities did not say how they tracked down the three suspects. However, they knew the vehicle in which Julia was last.

Texas Rangers, the AG's office and Dallas police detectives were all involved.