Man Caught In Child Sex Sting In Sarasota County Convicted By Jury: State Attorney

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — After a three-day jury trial, a Sarasota County man was convicted May 4 of charges filed against him after he was caught in an undercover child sex sting.

Christopher Todd Hamilton, 57, was convicted of traveling to seduce a child to commit a sex act, attempted lewd or lascivious better on a victim ages 12 to 16, and solicitation for prostitution, according to a news release from the state attorney’s office.

He was caught committing these crimes during Operation Intercept Six, one of eight undercover operations organized by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. The initiative has led to more than 150 arrests.

In Hamilton’s case, a deputy posed as a decoy 14-year-old boy on the internet. He communicated with the defendant, revealing his age. Even after learning he was 15, the defendant continued to speak with him and then solicited him for sex, the state attorney’s office said.

The next day, Hamilton drove to the decoy’s home with the intent of committing a sexual act upon him but stopped and prevented by the SCSO.

He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for May 25.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Joshua Wertheim said, “This case is proof that the Undercover Traveler Operations conducted by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office are protecting children in the community from potential child sexual abusers. These operations are a team effort between multiple Law Enforcement agencies and the State Attorney’s Office, and in this case the hard work paid off and the children of Sarasota County have one less sex offender to worry about.”