A federal jury in Honolulu convicted Darren Patrick Riley, 45, on March 11 of 12 counts related to the trafficking and sexual exploitation of five minor boys in Oahu during 2019 and 2020, according to United States Attorney Ken Sorenson.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about child sexual exploitation and abuse. Authorities say Riley used the app Grindr to contact boys aged between 14 and 16, arranging sexual encounters by offering money, electronics, or drugs. He filmed these acts and distributed videos, including one where a victim was directed to state his age as 14. The abuse occurred at various locations such as Riley's apartment, car, beaches, and hotel rooms.
Prosecutors said Riley exploited the financial vulnerabilities of his victims. One boy struggled with food insecurity while another feared being expelled from his home. Riley also provided controlled substances to several victims; one described losing consciousness after being given MDMA and other pills. The crimes came to light when Riley was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration at Los Angeles airport for attempting to traffic methamphetamine into Hawaii. A search of his phone revealed evidence leading to the charges.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said: "This verdict is the next step to holding Darren Riley fully accountable for his egregious pattern of preying upon and abusing children. We commend the victims who bravely testified at trial despite the trauma they endured from a serial predator. Their testimony, along with the good work of law enforcement and the prosecutors, exposed Riley’s horrific, repeated exploitation. The work of the jury now ensures that Riley will not be a threat to other children in the future. The Department of Justice will continue prosecuting offenders like Riley, as one of the Department’s highest callings is protecting America’s children." Sorenson added: "Our community is safer now that a Hawaii federal jury has held the defendant accountable for his predatory crimes against children... We will continue to aggressively pursue, charge, and convict predators like Riley that victimize our children and threaten our families." FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter said: "There is no corner of the internet or crevice on the globe where these predators can hide, as the FBI will use every resource at its disposal to bring them to justice."
Riley faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment on certain charges; sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
The investigation was conducted by FBI offices in Honolulu and Los Angeles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Perlmutter and Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills are prosecuting this case under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.
