CRIME BLOTTER

‘Extremely troubling’: Seattle man sentenced for possession of 1.5K images, 180 videos of child sexual abuse

Mar 9, 2026, 1:56 PM

fox island elder fraud sentence doj...

The U.S. Department of Justice is seen. (Photo: Samuel Corum, Getty Images)

(Photo: Samuel Corum, Getty Images)

A registered sex offender in Seattle was sentenced to three years in prison and 15 years supervised release on Monday for possession of images of child sexual abuse.

Christopher Randall Hamilton, 39, was alerted to law enforcement because of “disturbing communications” he had with a Port Orchard man, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.

The Port Orchard man was previously arrested in a law enforcement sting operation for seeking to have sex with children.

Investigation began after Port Orchard man arrested in sting operation

In March 2025, Hamilton was arrested when an analysis of his phone revealed he possessed roughly 180 videos and 1,500 images of child sexual abuse, according to records filed in the case.

Hamilton was communicating with a man who was arrested after he drove to eastern Washington and believed that he was meeting with an adult who would allow him to sexually assault a child. The child was not real, and the man was arrested and federally charged.

A review of the man’s phone led law enforcement to Hamilton. Both men had discussed locating a mother with young children at a mall such as Southcenter Mall, so that they could sexually molest the children.

In court on Monday, prosecutors argued for a 15-year term of supervised release after the prison sentence, which was approved by U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson. The supervised release would allow Hamilton’s communications and electronic devices to be monitored on federal probation.

DOJ noted Hamilton was previously convicted in Michigan of possession of images of child sexual abuse.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge 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.”

Crime Blotter

king county sheriff's office shoreline...

James Lynch

Man stabbed in Shoreline; investigation underway

Shoreline police officers and King County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a stabbing in the 17000 block of Midvale Ave. N.

4 hours ago

seattle fentanyl cocaine prison...

MyNorthwest Staff

Seattle man gets 2 years in prison for selling cocaine, fentanyl in ‘The Jungle’

A 46-year-old Seattle man was sentenced Wednesday to two years in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl and drug trafficking ring.

6 hours ago

gold bars shoreline scam...

Frank Lenzi

‘It was hellish’: Shoreline woman says gold bar scam cost her $3 million

A 78-year-old Shoreline woman said she lost $3 million in a gold bar scam involving secrecy and manipulation.

7 hours ago

tacoma card shop burglar...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Burglars steal around $50K worth of merch from Tacoma card shop

Thieves rammed a truck into a Tacoma business early Monday morning, stealing approximately $50,000 worth of Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon cards.

7 hours ago

brewster dead animals seized...

Jason Sutich

50 animals seized, numerous found dead in Okanogan County abuse investigation

Fifty animals were seized, and numerous other dead livestock were found on a Brewster property on Monday following animal abuse complaints.

8 hours ago

Marysville GPS arrest...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Two arrested after stolen vehicle tracked via GPS in Marysville

Marysville police officers say they arrested two people on Oct. 26 after tracking a stolen vehicle using a GPS deployment device, avoiding a high-speed chase.

16 hours ago

‘Extremely troubling’: Seattle man sentenced for possession of 1.5K images, 180 videos of child sexual abuse