BOISE, Idaho — After more than 30 years, an Idaho man is going to prison after he sexually abused a girl for more than a decade.
United States Attorney Josh Hurwit announced on Nov. 11 that 63-year-old Chris Hamburg was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison for transporting a child across state lines with the intent to sexually abuse the child, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office.
During the sentencing, Hamburg's victim appeared in court and gave a victim impact statement and said, "You stole every bit of peace and contentment, from my childhood...from my entire life. My struggles continue, daily," the victim said to Hamburg.
According to the news release, this began around 1990, when Hamburg started dating the victim's mom. After some time, Hamburg moved into their Washington home and started sexually abusing the victim, who was eight or nine at the time.
When the victim was 11 years old, Hamburg impregnated her, according to the news release. She gave birth to a baby boy, and after, Hamburg moved the family away to avoid contact with child services. He continued to abuse her sexually, and when she was 13, she gave birth to a second son.
The news release stated for more than a decade, Hamburg moved the family through various cities in Idaho and Utah. The sexual abuse continued into her early 20's, and in 2021 she reported the abuse to the FBI and the Boise Police Department. The FBI obtained a federal warrant to collect Hamburg's DNA for a paternity test, and it confirmed he was the father of the victim's children.
He was subject to the penalties and federal sentencing guidelines at the time of the crimes, as stated in the news release.
According to his July plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to two counts of Transportation of a Minor.
Included with his 20-year prison sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Hamburg to three years of supervised release.
"I would have a hard time coming up with a case that is more horrific than this one," Judge Winmill said during the sentencing hearing.
“In this case, the defendant raped and sexually abused a child for over a decade," said Hurwit. "What he did to the victim is inhuman,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “The strength that the victim showed in reporting this abuse, however, shows the amazing resiliency of the human spirit. I hope that the sentence in this case provides some solace to her and her family."
For those who are or know someone experiencing sexual abuse, visit the Faces of Hope Website or call (208) 577-4400.
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