Show-Me State Times

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that the Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Unit has secured the civil commitment of Goy Hamilton after a bench trial in Benton County. The court determined that Hamilton meets the legal criteria to be classified as a Sexually Violent Predator under Missouri law, leading to his commitment to the Missouri Department of Mental Health for care and treatment.

“My Office remains steadfast in our mission to protect Missourians from sexually violent predators,” said Attorney General Hanaway. “Thanks to the diligent work of our Sexually Violent Predator Unit, the Court has ensured that a dangerous individual can no longer threaten the safety of our communities. We will continue to fight for justice and public safety with every tool available to us.”

The SVP Unit is responsible for seeking civil commitment of sexual offenders who have prior convictions for sexually violent offenses and are diagnosed with mental abnormalities that increase their likelihood of committing further acts if not confined.

Hamilton’s record includes offenses against young boys starting in 1973 across Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, resulting in six convictions related to child sex offenses. During the trial, two expert psychologists testified that Hamilton is currently diagnosed with pedophilic disorder, which increases his risk of future predatory sexual violence if not confined.

On September 26, 2025, Judge James O. Kjar of Benton County Circuit Court found Hamilton to be a Sexually Violent Predator and ordered his commitment to state custody.

Assistant Attorneys General Michael Schafer and Paige Wheeler prosecuted the case as part of the SVP Unit.

The Attorney General’s Office encourages attorneys interested in public service roles focused on justice and advocacy to consider current job opportunities listed at https://ago.mo.gov/about-us/job-opportunities/.