Harry E. Rivers, Sex Trafficking of a Child, Maryland 2023
Delaware Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a 15-Year-Old Girl
In a shocking case, Harry E. Rivers, a 29-year-old man from Delaware, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for conspiring to commit sex trafficking of a child. The sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar in the District of Maryland.
Rivers, also known as 'Hakeem' and 'Pots,' pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child. According to his plea agreement, Rivers conspired with co-defendants Steven M. Williams and Jessica L. Schaefer to traffic a 15-year-old girl to engage in commercial sex acts.
The victim, a 15-year-old girl from Pennsylvania, was living with her father in Delaware when she was recruited by Schaefer and Williams. Schaefer posted ads on a website used to advertise and solicit for commercial sex, including the sexual exploitation of minors. Williams drove the girl from Delaware to Elkton, Maryland, where she was forced to engage in commercial sex acts.
Rivers provided narcotics to the females and their customers and helped to arrange 'dates' for the females. He also traveled with Williams and Schaefer to Elkton, Maryland, to take the girl back to Delaware to ensure that she did not leave Williams' employ.
On July 14, 2017, the girl was located and rescued in Newark, Delaware, and the defendants were arrested. Williams, who also went by the alias 'Brother Ray,' previously pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child by force, fraud, and coercion and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17, 2019. Schaefer, who also went by the alias 'Tutti,' pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, 2019.
Rivers' sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Moore of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Matthew Donnelly of the Elkton Police Department.
'When an adult profits from sex with a child, that is human trafficking, period,' said Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. 'Adults, like Harry Rivers, who encourage or profit from sexual exploitation of children face lengthy terms in federal prison, where there are no suspended sentences and no parole.'
The defendants will be required to register as sex offenders in the places where they reside, where they are employees, and where they are students, as part of their plea agreements.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant: Harry E. Rivers
- Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child
- City and State: Elkton, Maryland
- Exact Date: June 6, 2023 (sentence date)
- Sentence: 12 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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