GREENFIELD — Travis Harris, a 40-year-old travel nurse from Scotts Valley, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on June 4 after being convicted by a jury on multiple charges related to child molestation.
Judge Pamela Butler presided over the trial and sentencing. Harris was found guilty of more than 20 counts, including lewd acts on minors, oral copulation of a child and unlawful sexual conduct.
The case centered on his interactions with a 15-year-old girl from Greenfield, Jane Doe 1, whom he met on the social media platform Reddit.
The relationship began online in September 2022, when Harris, then 38, was aware of the girl’s age. They later met in person and engaged in sexual activities multiple times over a few months. Authorities reported that Harris sent sexually explicit materials and encouraged the minor to recruit other young friends for similar encounters.
“He also sent her lingerie, sex toys and adult clothing through Amazon.com,” stated the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office in a news release. “He also sent her nude photographs of himself and took photos and video of the two of them engaged in sexual intercourse.”
Another victim — Jane Doe 2, now a young adult — came forward after learning about Harris’ arrest, reporting that he had molested her when she was 9 years old.
Harris was convicted of seven “strike” offenses under California’s Three Strikes Law and will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
“Jane Doe 1’s mother gave an emotional victim impact statement to the judge, describing the impact that the defendant’s crimes have had on her daughter and her family,” according to the DA’s Office. “Judge Butler praised Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 for their courage in coming forward and testifying about a very difficult topic.”
