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Press Release

Chicago Area Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Of Minors

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri

St. Louis, MO – REGINALD WILLIAMS was sentenced to 240 months on multiple charges involving the interstate transportation of two minors with the intent to engage in prostitution. 

According to testimony presented at trial, on September 12, 2012, Collinsville, Illinois police received a report regarding a missing 16-year-old girl who was being forced to work as a prostitute by one or several adult males. The person reporting the information was familiar with online postings on the website, www.backpage.com, in which photographs of the girl were used to offer her services for commercial sex. The telephone number associated with the advertisement was recognized to be used by "Reggie," who was later identified as defendant Reginald Williams. Detectives reviewed the on-line advertisement, which contained sexually suggestive language and listed the poster’s age to be 20 years old.  However, Illinois police were able to confirm that the girl was born in 1996.

Investigators also learned that a second minor female was believed to be in the 16-year-old’s company at a hotel in St. Louis County.  Detectives from Illinois then contacted the St. Louis FBI and the St. Louis County Police Department. 

On September 13, 2012, an undercover detective called the phone number listed in the online advertisement to set up a paid sex "date" with the two girls. When officers arrived at the hotel, they observed a person later identified as defendant Reginald Williams exit the same hotel room where the two minor females were eventually found. Williams was arrested on the parking lot.  When officers went to the room they found both girls, ages 16 and 17.  Thereafter, officers determined that Williams transported the 16-year-old girl to the St. Louis area and Chicago with the intent she engage in prostitution.  Officers also determined that Williams had attempted to recruit the 17-year-old girl and posted her on www.backpage.com, in which photographs of the girl were used to offer her services for commercial sex as well.

Williams, from the Chicago, Illinois area, was convicted in March of one felony count each of interstate transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in prostitution, sex trafficking a minor, attempted sex trafficking of a minor, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and use of interstate facilities to promote prostitution.  He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Jean C. Hamilton.

In addition to the Collinsville, Illinois and St. Louis County police departments, this case was also investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Updated March 19, 2015