Alexander Hamilton, Obstruction of Justice, District of Columbia 2023

Washington D.C. – In a shocking turn of events, Alexander Hamilton, 28, of Washington D.C. has pleaded guilty to contempt and obstruction of justice under federal and District of Columbia law, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves announced.

HAMILTON ENTERS PLEA, SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2023 SENTENCING

Hamilton entered his plea this morning in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before the Honorable Judge Amy Berman-Jackson. He is scheduled for sentencing on November 29, 2023.

According to an affidavit in support of the complaint, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) observed a public Instagram account with approximately 10,400 followers posting multiple videos, with sound, that recorded the proceedings within the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Grand Jury room, located at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

HAMILTON ADMITS TO RECORDING, POSTING GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS

Personnel from the U.S. Attorney’s office recognized the individual in the video as Hamilton, a grand juror. During a consensual interview with law enforcement, Hamilton admitted to recording grand jury proceedings and posting them to his Instagram Story. Hamilton indicated that he filmed the proceedings using one of two phones that he owns. A forensic extraction of Hamilton’s phone identified videos of live grand jury testimony. Hamilton also sent dozens of messages via text message and Instagram, sharing the videos or discussing his grand jury service. Additionally, Hamilton demonstrated an awareness in numerous messages that he was not permitted to have his cellphone in the room during presentations before the grand jury.

HAMILTON SWORN IN AS GRAND JUROR SEPT. 9, 2022

Hamilton had been sworn in as a grand juror on Sept. 9, 2022. During orientation, he took an oath to, among other things, keep secret the information learned during grand jury service. A video, taken on Hamilton’s phone on Sept. 9, 2022, depicts Hamilton recording himself (i.e., a selfie). Specifically, the video shows him standing with his right hand raised as the oath described above was read to him aloud. In the video, Hamilton looks down at the phone and states, “I’m about to lie.” He was arrested on November 17, 2022.

“The secrecy of grand jury proceedings protects the integrity of ongoing investigations, ensuring that grand jurors and witnesses are free from improper influence; safeguarding against the possible destruction of evidence by those investigated; and protecting the privacy of uncharged individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Before serving, grand jurors take an oath to protect this secrecy. Hamilton’s violation of his oath is a crime. We will vigorously prosecute those, like Hamilton, who compromise the integrity of the criminal justice system.”

DEFENDANT FACES MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 5 YEARS

The contempt charge is a federal offense, and the obstruction charge is a District of Columbia offense. The plea agreement calls for an advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range of 6 to 36 months of incarceration. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory range and other statutory factors.

ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

The case was being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department.

ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY

The case was being prosecuted by the Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Gold of the Federal Major.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Public Corruption

Captain Karl Boy-Éd, Diplomatic Insult, New York, 1915

Dec 29, 1915

Public Corruption

Robert P. Burke, Bribery, Conspiracy, Washington 2022

Sep 16, 2025

Public Corruption

Texas Exec Sits Six Months for Lying to Feds, Texas 2023

May 25, 2012

Public Corruption

Adam J.J. Pudenz, Conflict of Interest Laws Violation, Iowa 2023

Mar 11, 2015