Union Teacher That Made Child Porn Sentenced

NEWARK, NJ — A former New Jersey high school teacher was sentenced on Monday after he admitted to producing child pornography.

Michael Hamilton, 53, was sentenced to 275 months in jail, 10 years of supervised release, and a restation of $5,000 to be paid to one of the minors, the United States Justice Department said.

The former Union Township High School music teacher pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography after he met with a minor and engaged in contact. He also recorded the encounter on video.

In October 2023, law enforcement confiscated a copy of the video during a search of Hamilton's home and charged him with one count each of production, receipt, and possession of child pornography.

Hamilton also admitted to having suggestive messages, images, and videos of two other minors.

"There is no higher responsibility than safeguarding the welfare of our children," acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba said. "The defendant took advantage of children for his own sexual desires."

Habba thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) along with the Springfield Police Department and Union County Prosecutor's Office for their assistance.

The case was brought through Project Safe Childhood, a countrywide program that began in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative utilizes federal, state, and local resources to help locate, apprehend, and prosecute people who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found on the United States Department of Justice website.

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