Danbury Man Avoids Prison After Pleading Guilty To Profiting From Prostitution

DANBURY, CT — A Danbury man who was accused of profiting from a woman's prostitution activities pleaded guilty this week and received a suspended prison sentence, according to court records.

Luis Rivera, 37, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Danbury Superior Court to third-degree promoting prostitution and conspiracy to commit third-degree promoting prostitution, both Class D felonies.

Court records show Rivera was placed on four years of probation after the court suspended a 42-month prison sentence.

Rivera was arrested by Danbury police in February 2025 following an investigation that began after a woman reported she had been exploited through prostitution in 2021.

According to the arrest warrant, the woman told investigators Rivera and another Danbury man, Johnathon Damasceno, controlled and profited from her commercial sex activities during June and July 2021.

Police alleged Rivera created an online escort profile that allowed clients to contact the woman and arranged commercial sex encounters. Investigators also alleged Rivera and Damasceno collected the money she earned and directed her activities.

According to the warrant, investigators reviewed phone records, financial records and hotel bookings as part of the investigation. Police alleged the two men deposited more than $10,000 in cash into their bank accounts during the period they were accused of promoting prostitution.

Damasceno, 36, also was arrested in February 2025 in connection with the investigation. Court records show he has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his case remains pending. A disposition hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25 in Danbury Superior Court.