by | Published
SAN ANGELO, Texas — A 51-year-old California man who trafficked, abused, and forced a 14-year-old homeless girl into commercial sex work across multiple states has been sentenced to life in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould announced.
Devin Maurice Harmon, 51, was sentenced on Friday, July 31, 2026, by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix. Following a federal jury trial in April 2026, Harmon was convicted on seven felony counts, including sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud, and coercion, enticement, illegal transportation, and witness tampering. He was also ordered to pay $5,250 in court-ordered restitution.
Law enforcement first encountered Harmon and the victim, identified in court records as "Jane Doe 1," on July 4, 2024. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and Texas Rangers responded to an abandoned vehicle in Crockett County, Texas.
Investigators discovered that the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office had previously provided a courtesy transport for Harmon, a minor female, and an infant following a vehicle breakdown, dropping them off at the Economy Inn Hotel in Ozona, Texas. Inside the hotel room, troopers located Harmon with the 16-year-old victim, who was actively listed as a nationally registered missing juvenile.
Jane Doe 1 disclosed to officers that Harmon was transporting her to Louisiana, having convinced her that buyers there would pay significantly more money for commercial sex acts.
According to evidence presented at trial, Harmon first met Jane Doe 1 when she was 14 years old and experiencing homelessness in California. Over the next two years, Harmon used physical violence, manipulation, and isolation to exert control over the teenager.
Harmon systematically forced the minor into commercial sex acts with adult men across the greater Los Angeles area. Jane Doe 1 reported engaging in sex acts with approximately 100 men arranged by Harmon, who kept all financial proceeds. Forensic analysis confirmed Harmon utilized the victim's cellular phone to message buyers, book hotel rooms, collect payments, and access his social media accounts to facilitate human trafficking.
While under federal investigation and awaiting trial, Harmon repeatedly attempted to threaten and manipulate Jane Doe 1 and her guardian to prevent them from testifying, resulting in two additional convictions for witness tampering.
Statements on the Verdict:
"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." — U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould
"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." — FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock
The joint investigation was conducted by the FBI, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office. Victim services and support throughout court proceedings were provided by Voice of Hope—Lubbock and the USAO Victim-Witness Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whitney James (Abilene Division) and Callie Woolam (Lubbock Division) prosecuted the case.
