Portland Predator Pleads Guilty to Sexually Trafficking Minors

PORTLAND, Ore. — In a grim revelation from the justice system, Eric Lamont Harris, 50, pleaded guilty after being charged with sex trafficking three minors, marking day four of his jury trial.

Harris, accused of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution and multiple counts of sex trafficking and exploitation, began his heinous acts in Spring 2022. The victims, aged 15 and 16 at the time, were coerced into a life of degradation while living under Harris’s control, according to court documents.

On March 5, 2023, after a relentless investigation involving federal and local law enforcement agencies, Harris faced an eight-count indictment. Each count detailed his involvement in transporting, exploiting, and benefiting from the commercial sex acts of these young victims. The youngest victim was only 15 when Harris first met her.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, ‘Sex trafficking is a most despicable crime that happens here in Oregon. We will stand up on behalf of the victims and protect our children.’ The FBI’s Doug Olson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the defendant’s systematic exploitation and the need for justice.

Harris now faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a lifetime of supervised release. His sentencing is scheduled for January 29, 2026.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Portland Police Bureau, Kennewick Police Department, and Medford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charlotte Kelley and Robert Trisotto are handling the prosecution. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, please visit this link. To report human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888.

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