A California man has been sentenced to life in federal prison after being convicted of sex trafficking a missing teenage girl, forcing her into commercial sex acts with approximately 100 men over two years, and attempting to intimidate the victim during the investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Devin Maurice Harmon, 51, was sentenced on July 31 by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix. In addition to the life sentence, Harmon was ordered to pay $5,250 in restitution to the victim.
Federal prosecutors said the case began after Texas law enforcement located Harmon with the missing 16-year-old girl in a hotel room in Ozona, Texas, in July 2024.
California Man Convicted on Multiple Federal Sex Trafficking Charges
A federal jury convicted Harmon on April 10 of seven felony counts, including:
- Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in prostitution
- Enticement of a minor
- Sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion
- Sex trafficking of a minor
- Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Two counts of witness tampering and attempted witness tampering
According to prosecutors, Harmon exploited the victim over several years, using violence, manipulation and coercion to control her and profit from commercial sex acts.
Missing Teen Found in Texas During Traffic Investigation
According to trial evidence, the investigation began on July 4, 2024, after Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responded to an abandoned vehicle in Crockett County with assistance from the Texas Rangers.
Investigators learned that the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office had transported Harmon, a 16-year-old girl, and a two-year-old child to the Economy Inn in Ozona after their vehicle became disabled.
When troopers located the pair inside the hotel room, they discovered the girl had been reported as a nationally registered missing juvenile. Harmon at first gave law enforcement officers several conflicting stories about who the teen girl was and how they met. However, he eventually admitted to being in an ongoing sexual relationship with the teen and acknowledged that he could be the father of the 2-year-old.
Authorities later determined Harmon had met the victim, identified in court as Jane Doe 1, when she was 14 years old and homeless in California. DNA testing proved that Harmon was not the father of the young child.
Prosecutors Say Victim Was Forced Into Sex Acts With About 100 Men
Evidence presented during trial showed Harmon repeatedly sexually assaulted the teenager and forced her into commercial sex acts with approximately 100 adult men throughout the Los Angeles area over a two-year period.
Prosecutors said Harmon arranged the encounters, collected the money and used the victim’s cellphone to book hotel rooms, communicate with customers and receive payments.
Forensic investigators also found Harmon accessed his Facebook account using the victim’s cellphone to facilitate the prostitution operation.
The victim told investigators the pair were traveling to Louisiana when they were stopped in Texas because Harmon told her she could earn more money there through commercial sex acts.
Witness Tampering Resulted in Additional Convictions
Federal prosecutors said Harmon attempted to manipulate and threaten both the victim and her legal guardian after his arrest in an effort to interfere with the criminal case.
Those actions led to two additional convictions for witness tampering and attempted witness tampering.
“My office is laser focused on prosecuting those who harm our children and ensuring they are held accountable for their horrendous acts,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said.
“For years, this defendant preyed on a vulnerable child, exploiting her fear and isolation for his own gratification and profit. He used violence, manipulation, and coercion to trap her in a cycle of abuse and then tried to silence her when law enforcement intervened. Today’s life sentence ensures this predator will never again victimize another child.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said the sentence reflects the severity of Harmon’s crimes.
“The life sentence imposed on this defendant demonstrates the seriousness of his crimes,” Rothrock said. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting our communities from child predators and will continue to work to ensure that those responsible for such acts are brought to justice.”
FBI, Texas Rangers and DPS Investigated the Case
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office.
Voice of Hope – Lubbock and the Victim-Witness Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office provided services and support to the victim throughout the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whitney James and Callie Woolam prosecuted the case as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, a nationwide effort to combat child sexual exploitation and identify and rescue victims.
Provided by Dallas Express
