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 through 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. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
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, before Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
