Devin Maurice Harmon, 51, of California, was sentenced to life in federal prison on July 31 for multiple offenses involving the exploitation and trafficking of a minor over several years, according to an announcement by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould on Aug. 3.
A federal jury found Harmon guilty on April 10 of 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, and two counts of tampering and attempted tampering with a witness.
“My office is laser focused on prosecuting those who harm our children and ensuring they are held accountable for their horrendous acts,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “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 life sentence imposed on this defendant demonstrates the seriousness of his crimes. 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.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Harmon met the victim when she was 14 years old and homeless in California. Over two years he used violence and manipulation while forcing her into commercial sex acts with adult men across Los Angeles County; Jane Doe 1 reported engaging in sex acts with approximately 100 men during this period under Harmon’s direction.
Law enforcement first encountered Harmon with the victim—then age 16—in Crockett County after responding to an abandoned vehicle incident on July 4, 2024. Investigators learned that Harmon arranged hotel rooms using Jane Doe’s cell phone; forensic analysis confirmed he accessed his Facebook account from her device as part of facilitating prostitution activities.
Harmon also attempted witness tampering during the investigation by manipulating or threatening both Jane Doe 1 and her guardian. A superseding indictment was returned against him Oct. 8, 2025; he was convicted by jury April 10 before being sentenced by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
The case involved efforts from the FBI Dallas Division as well as state agencies including Texas Rangers—the Texas Department of Public Safety—and local authorities such as Crockett County Sheriff’s Office; victim support came from Voice of Hope—Lubbock alongside prosecutors Whitney James (Abilene) and Callie Woolam (Lubbock).
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices since May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation online through coordination among federal, state, and local resources—as described by the Department of Justice website dedicated to Project Safe Childhood.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas covers about eight million residents across nearly one hundred thousand square miles; it prosecutes federal crimes—including cases like Harmon’s—and manages civil litigation within its jurisdiction using around one hundred assistant attorneys plus support staff at facilities located throughout northern Texas cities such as Dallas (Earle Cabell Federal Building), Fort Worth, Lubbock, Amarillo, and Abilene, according to the official website.