Dwayne Davis, age 31, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Apr. 7 to 12 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a minor, according to Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson ordered that Davis’s prison term will be followed by 20 years of supervised release.
The case highlights the serious consequences faced by those convicted of sex trafficking minors and underscores law enforcement efforts to address such crimes.
Authorities began investigating Davis after a 16-year-old girl called 911 on June 4, 2024. During her call, she said she needed help because Davis had threatened to kill her. The investigation revealed that Davis met the girl online in spring of that year and learned about her history of prior trafficking and abuse. He then transported her from Viroqua to La Crosse for prostitution dates and posted ads online for her services while keeping nearly all the money she earned.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson said Davis’s actions were monstrous because he recognized and preyed on the minor’s vulnerability. Peterson also noted that Davis’s history of domestic violence and the victim’s emergency call demonstrated his capacity for violence.
The charge against Davis resulted from an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, and FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger prosecuted the case.
