Registered sex offender sentenced to three years in prison for possession of child sexual abuse images

Seattle - A Seattle registered sex offender who was communicating with another person who has since been federally indicted for child sexual abuse, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to three years in prison and 15 years of supervised release for possession of images of child sexual abuse, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Christopher Randall Hamilton, 39, came to the attention of law enforcement because of disturbing communications he had with a Port Orchard, Washington, man who was arrested in a law enforcement sting operation for seeking to have sex with children. At today's sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson said Hamilton's conduct was "extremely troubling. The images involved very young children and were violent. The discussions [with the other defendant] are very concerning."

According to records filed in the case, Hamilton was arrested in March 2025, when the analysis of his phone revealed that he possessed approximately 180 videos and 1,500 images of child sexual abuse. Hamilton had been communicating with a man who was arrested after he drove to eastern Washington believing he was meeting with an adult who would allow him to sexually assault a young child. The child was fictitious, and the man was arrested and charged federally. A review of his phone led to Hamilton. The two men had discussed locating a mother with young children at a mall such as Southcenter Mall, so that they could sexually molest children.

In court today, prosecutors argued for, and the judge approved, a 15-year term of supervised release to follow prison so that Hamilton's communications and electronic devices can be monitored by federal probation. Hamilton was previously convicted in Michigan of possession of images of child sexual abuse.

The case was investigated by the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Harmon. Ms. Harmon is a Senior Deputy Prosecutor for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, specially designated to prosecute child exploitation crimes in federal court.