Human trafficking: Derrick Harper sentenced to 287 years, includes murder of Jesse Saucedo, Joseph Bradshaw
Derrick Harper is a monster and will now spend the rest of his life behind bars, sentenced to 287 years to life in prison for kidnapping women at gunpoint, raping and forcing them into prostitution. Harper faced several other offenses, including the murder of 35-year-old Jesse Saucedo nearly 10 years ago.
Harper, who was convicted of conspiracy, human trafficking, and way the sentence is written, Harper will be eligible for parole after he serves 287 years in prison. Jurors found Harper had directed friends to gang rape a prostitute who had refused an order from him.
Senior deputy district attorney Mary Knox praised the women who testified against Harper, many former sex workers, about the “sadistic depravity” they’d witnessed firsthand. She said Pittsburg police deserve credit too, for making human trafficking investigations a priority.
“These women were determined not to continue to be victimized and deserve to be commended for their strength and bravery in coming forward,” Knox said, adding they helped Harper’s “reign of terror” in Contra Costa to an end.
Harper, 39, was originally charged in 2013 for his involvement in what prosecutors described as the worst human trafficking case in Pittsburg’s history. His co-defendants, Eric Beman and Roy Gordon, have accepted plea deals, but haven’t yet been sentenced. Beman is looking at a maximum of 32 years, and Gordon could get a sentence similar to Harper’s, as he is a three-strikes defendant, records show.
He was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery in the Saucedo case, a verdict that virtually guaranteed he would receive a sentence of life without parole. Harper was charged in 2013 with the 2008 killing, along with Joseph Bradshaw, 42.
During the Saucedo case made attacks at prosecutor Mary Knox, who told the judge in mid-July that a courtroom outburst from Harper made her fear for her safety. Knox described the Harper case as one of the most brutal human trafficking cases in Contra Costa she had seen.