A Georgia man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual acts. Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the sentencing of Darvin Jerrell Williams, aged 28, from Douglasville, Georgia. On May 7, 2025, a federal judge ordered that Williams serve a sentence of 240 months. Following his imprisonment, he will be on supervised release for five years and must register as a sex offender. It is noted that federal inmates are not eligible for parole.
The case stems from an incident in December 2023 when Williams developed a relationship with a pre-teen girl in Alabama through text messages and social media. He expressed his desire for a sexual relationship multiple times before traveling to Alabama in January 2024 to take the girl back to Georgia. The victim was reported missing immediately after being picked up by Williams but was found back in her hometown the following day.
In August 2024, Williams was indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawfully transporting a minor across state lines and coercing and enticing her into sexual activity. He pleaded guilty to these charges on January 29, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Tallassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tara S. Ratz prosecuted the case.