PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov 7, 2025)— A Portland man pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple federal charges for trafficking three underage girls across Oregon and Washington, ending his jury trial on its fourth day, federal prosecutors said.
Eric Lamont Harris, 50, admitted to transporting minors for prostitution and sexually exploiting children, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. Harris pleaded guilty to one count of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, three counts of sex trafficking of a child, three counts of sex trafficking of a child by benefitting from participation in a venture, and one count of sexual exploitation of children.
Prosecutors said Harris began trafficking a 15-year-old girl in the spring of 2022 after she was reported missing and identified as a ward of the state. In June of that year, he began trafficking a 16-year-old, and in July 2022 transported both teens from Portland to Kennewick, Washington, where he booked a hotel for them to engage in prostitution.
After the 16-year-old’s parents reported her missing, the FBI and Kennewick Police located and recovered both girls at the hotel. Harris later began trafficking a 17-year-old in August 2022, court documents said.
Investigators said the victims lived with Harris while engaging in prostitution and were required to hand over all earnings to him. Harris arranged hotel rooms, transported the victims to and from their appointments, and facilitated online escort advertisements featuring the minors, generating thousands of dollars in profits.
“Sex trafficking is a most despicable crime that, unfortunately, happens here in Oregon,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “With our state and federal partners, we will stand up on behalf of the victims and do everything within our power to root out this evil and protect our children.”
FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson said the guilty plea marks “a first step in providing some form of closure to the victims and their loved ones.” He described Harris’s actions as “a systematic approach to sexually exploiting minors for financial gain and satisfaction,” adding that they “warrant the full extent of the punishment legally possible.”
A federal grand jury in Portland indicted Harris on Sept. 16, 2025, on eight counts, including sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Portland Police Bureau, the Kennewick Police Department, and the Medford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charlotte Kelley and Robert Trisotto.
Officials did not provide details on any possible connections to the crimes and departments involved in the investigation.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. More information about the program is available at justice.gov/psc.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking is urged to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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