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Dennis Williams has been handed a 28-year federal prison sentence following his conviction for the violent sex trafficking of five young individuals, one of whom was a 15-year-old girl.
Williams was responsible for the abduction of two victims. The FBI collaborated with Lansing police to build a solid case that ultimately led to his imprisonment.
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The investigation began in Lansing, where police were originally called to address reports of violent incidents.
“When we began investigating the cases, it quickly became evident that this was more than just a battery or robbery; these female victims were being forced into sex trafficking,” explained Lansing Deputy Chief of Police Mike Hynek.
As the investigation progressed, authorities were able to confirm that Williams was the central figure behind the trafficking operation.
Hynek brought in the FBI to assist with the case.
“They went through an extremely traumatic experience. The victims were coerced into this in a variety of means. Some were befriended by the subject. Once they were in, they were forced to endure awful, awful circumstances. And the subject utilized violence threats to make sure they continued to act in this sex ring,” said John Dougherty, FBI Supervisory Special Agent, Chicago Field Division. “We work on criminal enterprise cases and looking at human trafficking networks and try to identify them and disrupt them with our local partners.”
Both Dougherty and Hynek say human trafficking hinges on coercion, control and violence and is rampant. Over the past five years, federal, state and local law enforcement reported nearly 13,000 sex trafficking cases to the FBI. There were more than 2,600 cases in 2025 alone, according to FBI data.
SEE ALSO: Chicago man convicted of sex trafficking 15-year-old girl at Lansing motel: officials
During their investigation, Dennis Williams was manipulating those five young people, forcing them to perform sex acts in Lansing and Chicago for his financial gain. The survivors testified against Williams in open court.
“Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to secure the conviction and get the sentencing that was ultimately handed out,” Hynek said.
“If it wasn’t for the bravery of the victims, these cases would never get solved,” Dougherty told the I-Team.
The FBI and Lansing police say grooming for sex trafficking now often starts online. Parents should watch for changes to their children’s behavior. They say knowing who they’re talking to is vital.
Report Trafficking and Get Help
If you are a human trafficking victim or have information about a suspected trafficking crime, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.
If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST.
FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information provided to the CyberTipline.
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