Miami Suspect Accused of Sexual Battery Attempts to Assault Detective During Arrest
A Miami man already facing serious sexual battery charges has been caught on camera attempting to grab a female detective's buttocks while being handcuffed and escorted to jail, according to newly released court documents and police reports.
Alleged Campus Assault Leads to Arrest
Steven Devon Mason Rivers, a 30-year-old homeless man, allegedly raped a Florida Memorial University student early on Sunday morning around 7am. The female victim, who was in the United States on a student visa from Colombia, was waiting for a bus on campus when the incident occurred.
According to the detailed affidavit, Rivers first approached the student after hopping a fence to enter the FMU campus. He stared at her, whistled in her direction, and continued following her despite being ignored. When Rivers asked to use her phone and she declined while attempting to walk away, the situation escalated dramatically.
The suspect allegedly snatched her phone, placed it in his pocket, threw her backpack to the ground, and then pushed her against a wall before committing sexual battery. The student immediately called 911 following the assault and underwent a rape kit examination at a medical facility.
Investigation and DNA Evidence
Miami Gardens police received an anonymous tip about a homeless man who had been repeatedly spotted on campus during early morning hours over the previous two weeks. On Monday, officers stopped Rivers for questioning. Although he agreed to be interviewed, he firmly denied raping the female student.
Investigators subsequently obtained a warrant to collect Rivers' DNA, which forensic analysis confirmed matched evidence from the victim's rape kit. This crucial development led to his formal arrest on Wednesday, when he was turned over to the Miami Gardens Police Department for processing.
Inappropriate Incident During Transfer
As police escorted Rivers to Miami–Dade's Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, the suspect walked past a female detective and aggressively reached out toward her buttocks in what authorities described as a wildly inappropriate attempt. The entire incident was captured on surveillance footage and documented in the official affidavit.
An alert officer immediately intervened, catching Rivers and pushing him against a railing to prevent further contact. According to the police report, Rivers spontaneously chuckled after the attempted assault and made a crude remark to officers, stating Good catch, but I don't give a f***.
Multiple Charges and Criminal History
Following Wednesday's incident, Rivers faces numerous additional charges including attempted sexual battery without serious personal injury, battery on a police officer, and two counts of resisting an officer without violence. In connection with the original campus assault, he has been charged with one count of sexual battery and one count of robbery by sudden snatching.
Court records reveal Rivers has an extensive criminal history that includes:
- A 2019 conviction for sudden snatching without a weapon
- Aggravated stalking with a credible threat conviction later that same year
- A 2020 conviction for carrying a concealed firearm
- Multiple prior offenses involving lewd or lascivious exhibition
Court Proceedings and Community Response
During Thursday's bond hearing conducted via Zoom, Miami–Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer considered Rivers' substantial criminal background when setting his bond at $510,501. The judge explicitly stated that Rivers represents a great danger to the community and women in Miami–Dade County given his criminal history.
Investigators have indicated they believe there could be additional victims connected to Rivers' conduct and are continuing their examination of potential related cases. Following these disturbing events, FMU president William C. McCormick Jr. announced the university has implemented heightened internal security protocols.
These enhanced measures include close coordination with law enforcement agencies, expanded campus monitoring systems, and reinforced safety procedures designed to protect students and staff. The university administration emphasized their commitment to maintaining a secure environment for all members of their academic community.
