Former Detective Sentenced In Child Sex Exploitation Case

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A former Harford County Sheriff's Office detective has been sentenced in connection to child sex exploitation crimes.

U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Ryan Christopher Hall, 51, of Woodstock to 36 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for the sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material. Hall, who pleaded guilty to these charges in December 2025, also must register as a sex offender for life, court documents stated.

Hall is a former domestic violence detective who served 27 years with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

According to court documents, before May 2017, Hall sexually abused two minor children for at least three years. From May 2017 and through October 2024, Hall sexually exploited the two minor children by capturing explicit images and videos of them using a secret camera that he installed.

Hall also faces related charges for child sexual abuse in the Carroll County Circuit Court.