Former Chatham County Deputy Sheriff Sentenced To Over 17 Years In Federal Prison For Production Of Child Pornography

SAVANNAH, GA - Richard Adam Hall, 53, a former Chatham County Deputy Sheriff, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 206 months in prison based on his conviction for Production of Child Pornography.

According to the evidence presented at the guilty plea and sentencing hearings, Hall was under investigation by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office for child molestation, and a search of Hall’s residence resulted in the recovery of numerous sexually explicit photographs of a juvenile male.  A further investigation revealed that the minor depicted in the photographs traveled with Hall to Tennessee and Florida where the minor was molested by Hall on multiple occasions.  The sexually explicit photographs of the minor were taken by Hall when the victim was approximately 12 years old.  Hall’s criminal conduct occurred while he served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.

Last year, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Hall on 25 counts of child molestation and related offenses.  The State charges against Hall are still pending.

        United States Attorney Edward Tarver stated, “This defendant was supposed to protect the innocent; instead, he preyed on children.  He now rightfully faces hundreds of months in a federal prison cell.  When he’s released, he’ll then be under the watchful eye of federal probation officers for the rest of his life.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will work hard with our state and federal law enforcement partners to make sure that sex offenders who prey on the innocent will end up where they belong, in prison.”

        “To see an individual who takes an oath to uphold the law turn and exploit that position of trust is heinous and truly heartbreaking,” said Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Atlanta. “Law enforcement officers at all levels of government, including our partners at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation, are engaged in a desperate battle to stop child predators from victimizing and abusing the most innocent members of society. This defendant betrayed everyone in his community and everything he pretended to stand for in his pursuit of perversion. His extensive incarceration is well deserved punishment.”

“The Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department will continue to assist and support State of Georgia and federal agencies to investigate and bring to justice those that violate our children.  Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department personnel assigned to federal task forces are performing admirably in those roles,” said Chief Joseph Lumpkin.

Chatham County Sheriff Al St. Lawrence said, “The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is entrusted with the safety of the public.  Unfortunately, we had among our ranks one that violated that principle.  After receiving information about these crimes, the CCSO conducted an investigation resulting in the arrest of former Lt. Richard A. Hall for multiple egregious against children offenses that occurred a lengthy time period.  We appreciate the job our investigators did in conducting this investigation, and the assistance of other agencies, especially Armstrong State University Police Department's Forensic Investigation Unit.  We also appreciate HSI for their fantastic assistance in concluding this investigation, and partnering with the US Attorney's Office and the District Attorney's Office to ensure that justice prevailed.”

In addition to a prison sentence, Judge Wood also sentenced Hall to a lifetime of supervised release.  Mr. Tarver noted that there is no parole in the federal system.

The federal indictment of Hall arose out of a joint investigation by HSI, the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, the Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department, and Armstrong State University’s Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Brian T. Rafferty and Daniel R. Crumby prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.