Sex Offender, Once Target of International Manhunt, Sentenced

John Hamilton led authorities on an international manhunt before he pleaded guilty to molesting five minors. Now Hamilton will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. 

"I have an obligation to protect the community in this case, and that's what I'm going to do," Judge Brett A. Kassabain said in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Friday, before ordering five consecutive sentences that together amounted to 55 years. 

Three of Hamilton's male victims, along with one young man's mother, spoke with emotion at the sentencing about their betrayal at his hands and the effects which linger on to this day. 

One young man described his decision to give a statement at the sentencing as "the hardest walk I've ever taken. I was crying before I got up here."

"I promised myself I would never see you again," he said, looking directly at Hamilton. "Today I'll make an exception."

The young man, who Centreville Patch is not identifying because he is the victim of a sexual assault, said that for years he blamed his father. Hamilton was considered a part of his family, celebrating Christmas and attending family dinners and vacations. The young man's mother also testified tearfully that for years she thought John was her best friend. 

"You're a bad person for what you've done to everybody," the young man said to Hamilton, who sat with no apparent emotion on his face during the four victim impact statements. "It's the worst. It's up there with murder." 

"There's no fixing what you've done to me. You can't fix it," the young man said. "No matter how much counseling. No matter how many years of therapy."

Hamilton and his lawyer asked the judge to consider in his sentencing that Hamilton was a closeted homosexual and was himself allegedly abused by an uncle as a young man. They said that Hamilton had accepted responsibility for what he had done and was in therapy, trying to work on his issues. 

"Your Honor, I stand before you a man completely filled with remorse," said Hamilton, 39. "I am committed to changing my life. I have been a positive influence in the lives of many, but despite my best efforts I have fallen short."

"I want these young men to know how completely sorry I am and it's because of their courage coming forward that I'm getting the help I need."

However, the prosecution argued that Hamilton was a serial predator and master manipulator who would undoubtedly strike again if he was ever released. "The defense has offered the pathetic excuse of closeted homosexuality," Commonwealth attorney Katherine Stott said. "Homosexuality does not make one a pedophile." 

Hamilton ultimately received two 20 year-sentences with three years of suspended confinement for the counts of aggravated sexual battery, five years for a count of crimes against nature, five years with a two year term of suspended confinement for indecent liberties with a child, and five years for indecent liberties with a child with a three-year term of suspended confinement. 

The once-popular Fort Hunt Youth Association Little League coach was supposed to have pleaded guilty to assaulting children under his care back in October 2009. But after his initial arrest, the Centreville resident packed his bags and fled to Europe. Hamilton's case was subsequently featured on America's Most Wanted and placed on the G8 Wanted Child Sex Offender list. INTERPOL also issued a red notice on him to every country in Europe. 

In August 2010, Polish border authorities caught him trying to enter the country from a bus in the Czech Republic, checked out his passport and took him into custody, officials said. In January, he was extradited back to the United States.