A Slidell man has pleaded guilty to the remaining counts of child sex abuse and child pornography production.
David Allen Hammond Jr., 47, of Slidell, pleaded guilty as charged rather than proceeding to a second trial.
Hammond was sentenced to 115 years in state prison. This sentence will run consecutively to the 15-year prison term Hammond is currently serving for his previously affirmed conviction.
Hammond was originally convicted by a St. Tammany Parish jury in May 2019 on 28 total counts, including aggravated crime against nature, sexual battery of a minor, production and possession of juvenile pornography, and obstruction of justice, resulting in an initial 175-year sentence.
The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed four of the convictions in August 2020, set aside 24 counts based on non-unanimous 11-1 jury verdicts pursuant to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Ramos vs. Louisiana, remanding those counts to the 22nd Judicial District Court for a new trial.
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office began investigating Hammond in December of 2016 after they found a 14-year-old girl who had fled Hammond’s residence.
The girl had disclosed years of severe physical and sexual abuse, leading detectives to execute a search warrant at Hammond’s home.
Investigators uncovered thousands of images and videos containing child sexual abuse material involving the young victim.
“This defendant subjected a young, innocent victim to horrific abuse and tried everything possible to escape long-term accountability, including attempting to destroy critical hard drive evidence while locked in jail,” said District Attorney Collin Sims. “Thanks to the courage of the victim who stood up in court to confront him, along with the tireless work of our prosecution team and law enforcement partners, this dangerous predator has finally acknowledged his guilt and will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Justice has prevailed, and our community is safer with him locked away.”
READ MORE:Man sentenced to 115 years on child sex abuse, pornography production charges
