Billings Human Trafficking Case

23-year-old Andrew Anthony Rivera of Tacoma Washington has admitted to federal charges accusing him of bringing a woman to Billings, specifically to work as a prostitute.  During a Monday hearing in U.S. District Court, Rivera pleaded guilty to transportation of a person with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.  A plea agreement calls for a second charge to be dismissed at sentencing and for the sentencing range to be between two and eight years.

The U.S. Attorney said evidence would show that a sting operation last April led to online communications with a person who was offering sex for money.  Officers went to the Lexington Inn in Billings and identified a woman only as S.B., who told officers that she had come with Rivera to engage in prostitution and that Rivera kept most of her earnings.