JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Northeast Florida Inter-agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking Task Force investigation has led to a federal jury finding a Miami man guilty of two counts of production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material and one count of attempted production of child sexual abuse material using hidden cameras.
Gray Edward Rivera, 46, of Miami, faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison for each count. Rivera has been detained since his arrest on Feb. 8. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Rivera gifted three items containing hidden cameras to a child — a Bluetooth speaker, digital calendar and clock, and a USB charging tower — and set them up in the child’s bedroom. In addition, a hidden camera smoke detector was discovered in the living room area. The hidden cameras were later discovered by the child’s mother, and she contacted the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Rivera was out of the country at the time.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville partnered with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and obtained Rivera’s cellphones when he reentered the United States. A review of Rivera’s cellphones resulted in the discovery of 14 files containing child sexual abuse material of the child, as well as phone activity related to the use of the app for controlling the hidden cameras.
This case was investigated by HSI Jacksonville and the CCSO. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Washington. In addition to HSI Jacksonville and CCSO, members of the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force consist of members from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, the Duval County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The Northeast Florida (NEFL) INTERCEPT Task Force is a unique partnership that takes a collaborative and coordinated approach of multiple law enforcement agencies working together at all three levels of government, alongside private sector partners, to rescue children from sexual exploitation. The NEFL INTERCEPT is a unique public–private partnership where nonprofit organizations provide financial, technical, and other resources to regional law enforcement partners dedicated to the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation. Support from Operation Light Shine and partner donors like the Tim Tebow Foundation allow law enforcement agencies to better serve the Northeast Florida communities and the many victims of human trafficking and child exploitation. The collaborative approach of bringing together the experience and expertise of local, state and federal law enforcement professionals greatly enhances the ability to combat the many difficulties and challenges presented by the complexities of child exploitation and human trafficking investigations.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit Department of Homeland Security’s Know2Protect.
To report information about human trafficking, child sexual abuse or the trafficking in child sexual abuse material contact the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website. To report to law enforcement in the Jacksonville area, call First Coast Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.