Union Co. Teacher Admits To Engaging In Sexual Conduct With Minor, Recording It On Video

UNION, NJ — A Union County teacher admitted to producing child pornography with a minor and receiving videos and images depicting child sexual abuse of two other minors, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced on Wednesday.

Michael Hamilton, 53, of Springfield, who was a music teacher at Union Township High School, pleaded guilty before Judge Christine P. O’Hearn in Camden federal court to one count of producing child pornography.

Hamilton was previously charged with one count each of production, receipt and possession of child pornography in October 2023.

"Hamilton admitted to meeting a minor victim and engaging in sexual conduct with that victim, which Hamilton recorded on video," according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

Authorities seized a copy of that video during the search of his home in October 2023. Hamilton also admitted to receiving and possessing sexually explicit messages, pictures, and videos of two other minor victims, said Habba.

Hamilton faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the charge of production of child pornography.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Habba credited FBI Newark’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly, with the investigation. Habba also thanked the Springfield Police Department and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.

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