Paterson Man Charged with Sex Trafficking of Minor and Child Pornography Offenses

Federal prosecutors allege Keshawn Harley exploited missing minors at after-hours parties in Passaic County; investigation led by newly formed Human Trafficking Task Force.

A 38-year-old Paterson, New Jersey resident has been charged with sex trafficking of a minor, production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. The defendant, Keshawn Harley, was arrested and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court on May 6, 2025, where he was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

According to federal court documents and statements made in court, Harley allegedly began exploiting minor victims in May 2022 by hosting “after-hours” parties at residences in Paterson. At these gatherings, victims—some of whom had been reported missing—were engaged in commercial sex acts. Evidence recovered from Harley’s cell phone reportedly includes messages arranging sex work involving at least one of the minors, as well as explicit videos of Harley engaging in sex acts with the victim.

Harley is charged with:

• Sex trafficking of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, along with a fine of up to $250,000.

• Production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

• Possession of child pornography, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Newark Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from IRS – Criminal Investigation and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

This prosecution is part of the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Human Trafficking Task Force, established in 2025. The Task Force coordinates efforts among federal and state agencies to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases. Participating agencies include the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Kober of the Criminal Division in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.