Man arrested after DNA connects him to Florida Memorial University sex battery: Police
A man is facing charges in the sexual battery of a student at Florida Memorial University after DNA evidence tied him to the crime, police said.
Steven Rivers, 30, was taken into custody on Tuesday in connection with the case, Miami Gardens Police said Wednesday.
The sexual battery happened on Sunday when the victim told police she was waiting near a bus stop after going out of the campus’ front guard gate when an unknown man began whistling at her.
The woman then left the bus stop and walked back toward campus to go to her dormitory, with the suspect following her, police said.
At one point, the suspect pinned the victim against a building door and sexually battered her before fleeing the area, authorities said.
On Tuesday, a tip was received by Opa-locka Police about a suspicious male matching the description of the sex battery suspect, and Rivers was taken into custody for questioning, officials said.
A DNA warrant was executed and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office crime lab worked overnight and were able to confirm Wednesday morning that Rivers was the suspect, police said.
“They’ve stayed overnight with our detectives to ensure we were able to put all the pieces to the puzzle together to have this break for our community,” Miami Gardens Police spokesman Emmanuel Jeanty said at a news conference Wednesday.
Rivers had just been released by the Florida Department of Corrections in December of 2025 after serving time for lewd and lascivious behavior related to a case in Palm Beach County, police said.
Rivers was seen later Wednesday being escorted out of Miami Gardens Police Headquarters in a white jumpsuit before he was placed in a patrol car and taken to jail.
He was booked into jail on charges including sexual battery and robbery by sudden snatching, records showed.
Police released surveillance video on Wednesday, saying it shows the suspect jumping the wall and walking on the FMU campus.
Police said they’re concerned there could be other victims and are urging anyone who may have had an encounter with Rivers in the past few weeks to contact them.
Meanwhile, police said the victim is recovering but plans to continue her classes at FMU and live on campus, and said she was a key part of the investigation.
The victim is an international exchange student who came on a sports scholarship, police said.
The arrest was a relief to students who have been on edge since the attack.
“Justice for her. That was the best thing that could’ve happened ’cause that should’ve never happened to her in the first place,” freshman Melina Davila said. “I’m glad they took the situation seriously for her safety as well.”
Following the alleged sexual battery, FMU’s president announced additional security measures on the campus.
