On August 11, 2025, a detective with the Burnsville Police Department began investigating a reported theft by swindle in Dakota County. Through the course of the investigation, the detective spoke with thirteen individuals, who stated that they paid Justin Franklin Williams ([DOB redacted]), “Defendant” herein, for tree care services that were only partially or never completed. Victim #1 stated that she contacted Defendant on October 9, 2024, to remove seven trees from her yard in Inver Grove Heights.
Defendant provided a quote of approximately $2,100 to Victim #1 for the work. Defendant requested Victim #1 pay a $600 deposit by Venmo to his girlfriend, which Victim #1 paid. Defendant completed approximately half the job and then requested $500 to complete the job. Victim #1 paid $500 in the same method as Defendant instructed, but Defendant never returned or completed the job. Victim advised she tried contacting Defendant, but he never responded. Victim #2 hired Defendant for tree care at his Prior Lake residence on August 15, 2024. Defendant requested that Victim #2 Venmo his girlfriend the payment of $559.65. Victim #2 made the payment as requested, but Defendant never performed the service.
After the services were not provided, Victim #2 contacted Defendant and told him that he filed a police report. Defendant returned $200 of the deposit, and told Victim #2 that he would refund the rest when “work picked up”. Victim #3 hired Defendant for tree service at their Apple Valley residence in August 2024 and paid Defendant a $2,800 deposit for the work. Defendant did not perform the work, and she filed a police report. Defendant later called Victim and advised he would come and do the job, but Victim requested that he return the money.
Defendant told Victim he would not give her a refund and blocked her phone number. Victim #4 hired Defendant for tree services at her Savage residence on October 3, 2024. Defendant requested a $732.06 deposit, which Victim #4 paid via credit card. Defendant advised Victim that he could finish the job in a few weeks, but he never did. For several months, Defendant continually provided Victim #4 with excuses for why he had not performed the services. In February 2025, Victim requested a refund, to which Defendant agreed.
Defendant, however, never provided the refund. Victim #5 hired Defendant, who provided a quote for $5,000 with a down payment of $1,860 for tree work at his Lakeville residence. Victim #5 paid Defendant the down payment on October 15, 2024. Defendant did not perform the work and continually provided excuses for several months. On February 2, 2024, Victim #5 asked Defendant to at least perform some of the work. Defendant responded that he would refund Victim #5 some of the money, but never did. Victim #6 hired Defendant in November 2024 to either “cable” or remove a tree at her Burnsville residence.
