Van Lawson Williams, Sex Trafficking, Florida 2012

Fort Lauderdale, FL - In a shocking display of justice, Van Lawson Williams, 49, has been sentenced to life in prison for his heinous crimes of sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking of minors.

On October 30, 2012, a jury found Williams guilty of four counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of attempted sex trafficking of minors. The victims, all runaways at the time they met Williams, testified that they worked or were recruited to work as prostitutes at Williams' residence.

According to the trial evidence, Williams sought out minor female runaways in his neighborhood and invited them to stay with him at his Fort Lauderdale residence, promising them food and shelter. However, once they were in his care, he would convince them to work as prostitutes, telling them that they could not stay for free but rather had to earn money to pay the bills.

The victims testified that on most occasions, they were required to give Williams the money they collected for their prostitution services. Several of the victims also testified that Williams provided them with illegal narcotics, including marijuana and crack cocaine, and that he engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual activity with them.

At the sentencing hearing, one of the victims read a letter she had written to the Court, describing the shame she still feels every day when she looks in the mirror. Another victim, only 12 when she was prostituted by Williams, wrote a letter to the Court in which she described the damage that she had suffered as a result of Williams' actions, and wrote of her dream to one day meet and marry a sweet man.

U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley sentenced Williams to life in prison for his crimes, bringing justice to the victims who were exploited by this predator.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto and Corey Steinberg handling the prosecution.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/Respondent Name - Van Lawson Williams; Exact Criminal Charges - sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking of minors; City and State - Fort Lauderdale, FL; Exact Date - October 30, 2012; Sentence/Outcome - Life in prison; No dollar amounts were applicable in this case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/fort-lauderdale-man-sentenced-life-sex-trafficking-minors