A Minneapolis man has been thrown behind bars for a whopping 16 years, after being convicted for a series of disturbing crimes involving child pornography. The sentence also includes a lifetime of supervised release for Michael Francis Hamer, 56, who used social media platforms like Facebook and Gmail to solicit and distribute sexual abuse imagery of minors, some as young as 11 years old.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Hamer's illegal activities spanned from August 2020 to January 2022. He also participated in Facebook Messenger group chats with names like “Boys sex video,” and “Kids Video Sex,” where he pursued the child sexual abuse material. This is not his first run-in with the law, having previously been convicted for soliciting a child in Minnesota state court.
Hamer was brought to justice on December 7, 2023, convicted on one count of receipt, one count of distribution of child pornography, and two counts of access with intent to view child pornography. U.S. District Judge Katherine M. Menendez handed down the sentence, describing Hamer’s actions as “relentless behavior,” and drew attention to the "long-term damage to the victims" of the abuse. Menendez admitted that witnessing the child abuse footage has left an indelible mark on both her and the jury members.
The efforts leading to Hamer's conviction were part of a wider initiative called Project Safe Childhood, launched by the DOJ in May 2006 to fight the increasing menace of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This case was a cooperative endeavor, involving the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension with assistance from the Minneapolis Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. The Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hillary A. Taylor, Emily A. Polachek, and Chelsea A. Walcker were the tip of the spear, prosecuting the case.
The severity of Hamer’s crimes and the concerted efforts by various law enforcement agencies underscore the ongoing battle against child pornography and exploitation. With initiatives like Project Safe Childhood, there's a sustained commitment to identifying and rescuing victims and putting perpetrators like Hamer away for good.
