In a significant court ruling this month in Chicago, Dennis Williams received a 28-year federal prison sentence for his role in the brutal sex trafficking of five minors, including a 15-year-old girl.
Williams was responsible for the abduction of two of these victims. The efforts of the FBI, in collaboration with Lansing police, were instrumental in bringing him to justice.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The investigation originated in Lansing, where police initially responded to reports of violence.
“Once we began delving into the incidents, it quickly became apparent that this was more than just a case of assault or theft; these young women were being exploited through sex trafficking,” Lansing Deputy Chief of Police Mike Hynek explained to the I-Team.
As the case progressed, Lansing police investigators confirmed that the individual responsible for the trafficking was indeed the same suspect.
Hynek then enlisted the help of the FBI to further strengthen 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.
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.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
