Justin Franklin Williams

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 [NAME REDACTED] 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 [NAME REDACTED] 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.