Crookston man charged after allegedly soliciting 13-year-old online while on probation

(Valley News Live) – A Crookston man already on supervised probation for a prior felony conviction is facing a new felony charge after authorities say he used social media to solicit a 13-year-old for sexual conversation.

Dustin Thomas Williams, 24, was charged with engaging in electronic communication relating to or describing sexual conduct with a child, according to a criminal complaint filed in Polk County District Court. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the complaint, Williams was sentenced in October 2025 to a stay of imposition and supervised probation after a felony threats of violence conviction. His probation agent alerted a Crookston police detective on Oct. 19 that Williams had reportedly been communicating with a minor in a sexual manner.

The complaint states a detective reviewed screenshots of a TikTok messaging conversation between Williams and a 13-year-old girl that began Aug. 18. According to the complaint, the two discussed how inappropriate the age difference between them was, engaged in sexual conversation, and Williams asked to see the girl’s genitals before the two agreed to move the conversation to another platform to share images.

Williams was detained Oct. 22 during a scheduled meeting with his probation agent for violating the terms of his probation, according to the complaint. He agreed to provide a voluntary statement to police after being advised of his rights, admitting to the conversation and telling investigators he “was not in the correct headspace at the time,” according to the complaint.

Williams remains in custody at the Northwest Regional Corrections Center. Court records list his address as homeless in Crookston.