Dublin Police Detective Sgt. Jacob Williams received a law enforcement award Friday, Oct. 2, for his work on a three-year sexual assault investigation. The case ended with a 25-to-27½-year prison sentence for a man convicted of assaulting a teenage relative.

Williams is one of two officers recognized at the 14th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes ceremony in Marysville. The event, organized by the Union County Prosecutor's Office, raises awareness of sexual assault and gender-based violence.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes organizers said Williams' work on the case helped ensure the juvenile survivor's voice was heard and contributed to the successful prosecution of Sai Praveen Lingam, Marysville Matters reported.

The Dublin Police Department's investigation began in September 2022 when the victim, then 16, disclosed abuse by Lingam, a relative, according to WKTN. The Union County Grand Jury indicted Lingam in January 2024 on one count of kidnapping and five counts each of rape, gross sexual imposition and sexual battery, according to the Marysville Journal-Tribune.

A jury found Lingam guilty on five counts each of rape, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition and one count of kidnapping. After related offenses were merged at sentencing, he was sentenced on five rape convictions to 25 to 27½ years in prison.

At trial, Lingam's attorney argued the acts were consensual. Lingam later told a pre-sentence investigator that nothing had happened, claiming the victim had lied, WKTN reported. Assistant prosecutor Sam Hobbs argued the denial showed Lingam had no remorse.

The case took about three years.

Williams, a Marysville resident, shares the award with Marysville Police Sgt. Katie Archer, who has nearly 25 years of service including six years investigating serious sexual assault cases.

Williams and Archer will be recognized at 5:30 p.m. at the Partners Park pavilion in uptown Marysville. The walk begins at 6 p.m.