Man sentenced to 12 years for sexual servitude trafficking after nationwide sting

DENVER (KDVR) — A 39-year-old man was sentenced Monday to two 12-year sentences, scheduled to be served concurrently, for a charge of trafficking for sexual servitude and another charge of retaliation against the victim in the trafficking case.

Roman Bear Rivera was arrested on Oct. 19, 2023, by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as part of a national FBI effort called “Operation Cross Country.” The operation targeted sex trafficking operations to locate victims and arrest individuals perpetrating the abuse across the U.S.

According to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Rivera pleaded guilty in May “as part of a global disposition” to the top charge of human trafficking for sexual servitude and a count of retaliation against a witness or victim. He originally faced charges of human trafficking for sexual servitude and pimping.

Because Rivera pleaded guilty under an agreement, he faced a maximum of 8-12 years in prison.

In February, Rivera made bond and was released from custody. Officers say this is when Rivera located the victim and assaulted her at a motel. He was then arrested and charged with retaliation against a witness, third-degree assault and violation of a protection order.

Law enforcement said Rivera made “numerous attempts” to contact the victim in his case while in jail custody, picking up additional protection order violations in the process.

Lakewood arrest part of nationwide FBI operation

Investigators with the Lakewood Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Rivera after finding an ad for sex in exchange for money after July 2023.

Investigators connected with an adult female victim of Rivera to provide her with resources. Hours after investigators met with the victim, an undercover investigator was contacted by Rivera.

According to police, Rivera was not aware of the investigator’s true identity and texted several times, demanding contact with his victim and threatening investigators. Investigators say the messages demonstrated Rivera’s manipulation and control of the victim.

The deputies also reported that Rivera later told investigators that since the victim had not come home, they would need to pay for the hours that the victim could not work. Rivera also allegedly said the victim had sent pictures of the investigators to him for “insurance purposes,” and threatened extortion.

Later, in a phone call between investigators and Rivera, Rivera allegedly alluded to controlling other sex trafficking victims, and said the victim who was working with investigators was “supposed to be on the clock.”

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