BALTIMORE, MD—A former detective with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office is facing federal charges relating to the sexual exploitation of two children.
A federal grand jury has indicted Ryan Christopher Hall, 50, of Woodstock, Maryland, charging him with sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material. Hall is a former domestic violence detective who served 27 years with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Carroll County State’s Attorney Haven N. Shoemaker, Jr.; Sheriff James T. DeWees, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office; and Sheriff Jeff Gahler, Harford County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the 10-count indictment, from May 2017 thru October 2024, Hall sexually abused two minor children. Authorities discovered that Hall installed cameras to produce child sexual abuse material and possessed child sexual abuse material.
If convicted, Hall faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each count of sexual exploitation of a child.
A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Hall’s initial appearance in federal court is set for Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels
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