Ryan Christopher Hall, a former detective with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material. Hall, 50, served as a domestic violence detective for 27 years.
According to information presented in court, Hall sexually abused two minors between May 2017 and October 2024. Authorities found that he had installed cameras to create child sexual abuse material and possessed such material. Hall also faces related state charges in Carroll County Circuit Court.
Hall could receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison for each count of sexual exploitation of a child. He is also subject to lifetime supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the plea along with officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore, the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.
"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. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims," according to information provided by authorities. More details about Project Safe Childhood are available at www.justice.gov/psc.
Authorities also highlighted Know2Protect, an awareness campaign from the Department of Homeland Security aimed at preventing online child sexual exploitation through education for children, parents, trusted adults, policymakers, as well as offering resources for victims. Additional information can be found at www.dhs.gov/know2protect.
"U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit, and Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit for their combined effort and work in the investigation." The office also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn for prosecuting the case.
For further information about community priorities or resources from the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office visit www.justice.gov/usao-md or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
