A federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a four-count indictment charging Donald S. Hammalian, Jr., 50, last residing in Newtown, with multiple child exploitation offenses, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut Marc H. Silverman and Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, Michael J. Krol announced today.
The indictment, which was returned on April 10, 2025, was unsealed today following Hammalian’s appearance before U.S. District Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford. Hammalian entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. He has been in federal custody since November 16, 2023, due to an alleged violation of his supervised release.
READ: Supreme Court Declines Minnesota Appeal In 18-20 Handgun Ban Case
According to court documents and statements made in court, Hammalian has a prior history of child pornography offenses. In January 2010, he was sentenced in the Middle District of Florida to 48 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. His supervision was later transferred to Vermont, where he moved after his release.
In June 2018, Hammalian pleaded guilty in Vermont to violating his supervised release by again possessing child pornography, resulting in a 72-month prison sentence and an additional 20 years of supervised release. In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal judge in Vermont reduced his sentence to time served, and he was released from prison.
The current indictment stems from an investigation that allegedly revealed further illicit activity. On November 13, 2023, the U.S. Probation Office searched Hammalian’s residence and reportedly discovered five unapproved internet-capable devices, including three smartphones and two tablets. Two of these devices allegedly contained child sex abuse material.
The investigation further revealed that Hammalian was managing approximately a dozen social media accounts with over 100,000 followers, which he allegedly used to communicate with minors, at times posing as a 16-year-old boy.
The indictment specifically alleges that between July 2022 and November 2023, Hammalian received child pornography. It also alleges that between July 2022 and February 2023, he enticed a minor to send him child pornography and transferred obscene material to a minor. These offenses allegedly occurred while Hammalian was a registered sex offender.
The charges against Hammalian include:
- Receipt of child pornography: Based on his prior criminal history, this charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
- Coercion and enticement of a minor: This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
- Transfer of obscene material to a minor: This charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
- Commission of a felony offense involving a minor by a registered sex offender: This charge carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison.
READ: ICE Boston Arrests Guatemalan National In Connecticut On Sexual Assault Charges
Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman emphasized that the indictment is not evidence of guilt and that the charges are merely allegations. He stated that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Novotny is handling the prosecution.
Hammalian also faces potential additional penalties for allegedly violating the conditions of his supervised release.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
