Calvin Hamilton Guilty of Child Sex Crimes

On July 1, 2022, a report was made to the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office regarding the sexual assault of a minor child.  After an investigation was conducted by Inv. Tomlin, a warrant was obtained for the arrest of Calvin Eugene Hamilton, Jr., for the rape of a child under the age of 13. Hamilton was arrested on this charge on September 1, 2022, and held with no bond by the magistrate. Hamilton was later denied bond by both the Amherst County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on September 7, 2022, and the Amherst County Circuit Court on September 12, 2022.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled to be held on October 5, 2022, but was continued on the motion of the defendant to November 28, 2022. The defendant requested a continuance again and the preliminary hearing was continued to January 18, 2023, at which time the charge was certified to the next term of the grand jury. Based on the testimony of the victim at the preliminary hearing, additional charges were presented to the grand jury on February 14, 2023. The grand jury returned true bills on the following charges:

-          Forcible intercourse with a victim under the age of 13

-          Forcible sodomy with a victim under the age of 13

-          Aggravated sexual battery of a victim under the age of 13

A jury trial was scheduled to be held in the Amherst County Circuit Court on May 10, 2023. On April 14, 2023, the defendant filed a motion to continue the case, which was granted by the Court. A new trial date was scheduled and set for December 29, 2023. On November 29, 2023, the defense attorney filed a motion to withdraw from the case, and a new attorney was appointed by the Court on December 8, 2023. The second attorney filed a motion to continue the jury trial set for December 29, 2023, which motion was granted. 

A jury trial with the second attorney was then scheduled for September 25, 2024, with several motions hearings taking place prior.  On September 23, 2024, the second court appointed defense attorney filed a motion to withdraw from the case. This motion was also granted and a third attorney was appointed to represent Hamilton. The jury trial was continued and set for April 22, 2025.

On February 5, 2025, the Court granted a motion filed by our office to allow for the victim to testify at the jury trial via a two-way closed-circuit television. Such testimony is permitted pursuant to Va. Code §18.2-67.9 if the Court makes certain findings, primarily that the victim was 14 years old or younger at the time of the alleged crime and 16 years or younger at the time of trial. The Court must also find that the child/victim would suffer severe emotional trauma from testifying without the use of closed-circuit television. This type of testimony is only allowed if the defendant is charged with certain sexual offenses. 

On April 22, 2025, a jury trial was held, but the Judge ultimately declared a mistrial as the jury stated that they were deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous verdict was required by law. 

On October 21, 2025, a second jury trial was held and the jury found Hamilton guilty of the forcible sodomy of a child under the age of 13 and the aggravated sexual battery of a child under the age of 13. The Court declared a mistrial on the rape charge. Sentencing is scheduled for February 27, 2026.