Federal Jury Finds Miami Man Guilty Of Producing And Attempting To Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material Using Hidden Cameras

Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Gray Edward Rivera (46, Miami) 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. For each count, Rivera faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison. Rivera has been detained since his arrest on February 8, 2024. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 6, 2024.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Rivera gifted three items containing hidden cameras to a child-a Bluetooth speaker, calendar/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 (CCSO). Rivera was out of country at the time.

The CCSO partnered with Homeland Security Investigations and obtained Rivera's cellphones when he re-entered 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 the Clay County Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.