A federal jury in Chicago has convicted Dennis Williams, a 33-year-old Chicago resident, of sex trafficking and kidnapping offenses involving five young victims, including a 15-year-old girl. Williams was found guilty on all seven counts of sex trafficking and kidnapping by the jury in the U.S. District Court in Chicago. He now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland has scheduled the sentencing for October 7, 2025.
The convictions were announced by Morris Pasqual, the Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office. Assistance in the investigation was provided by the Chicago Police Department and the Lansing, Illinois Police Department. The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Totten, Sushma Raju, and Michelle Parthum.
During the one-week trial, evidence revealed that Williams used threats, violence, drugs, and other coercive methods to force his victims into commercial sex acts. He would restrain or assault the victims to ensure compliance and possession of the earnings from the acts. Furthermore, Williams coerced a 17-year-old girl to assist him in trafficking the victims. The sex trafficking operation took place through 2022 and 2023 at his Chicago residence and motels in Lansing.
The case presented revealed specific incidents, including on August 2, 2022, when Williams kidnapped a victim by driving away with her in his truck, resulting in her escape after jumping from the vehicle. Another incident took place on January 10, 2023, when Williams confined a victim in a closet and forced her into commercial sex, from which she escaped by leaping out of a second-floor window.
All five victims, including both who were kidnapped, gave testimony during the trial, detailing their experiences.
Victims of sexual exploitation are urged to reach out to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678 for support, available 24/7.
