Convicted:
2019, 
Positions: Missionary, - Mission:
unknown
- Alleged:
1 victim,
Criminal case(s): Convicted, Plea deal, Pleaded guilty, Prison, 
updated Jun 26, 2026 - request update | add info
Crime: 
Crime state:
Positions: 
Alleged:
Criminal case(s): 
UPDATE: June 2026 Someone familiar with Hammond has reported seeing him recently in Eugene, Oregon.
According to the Idaho Department of Corrections his status is as “In community” as of 2/27/2023.
Connor Hammond does not appear on any sex offender registrations that FLOODLIT could find.
—
from a news article:
“REXBURG – A former Brigham Young University student faces up to a decade in prison for the rape and lewd conduct of a 14-year-old girl he met on Tinder.
Connor Hammond and his attorneys Kristopher Meek and Dan Dummar met before Seventh District Court Judge Steven Boyce on Monday. There, Hammond pled guilty to one charge of rape and two counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 in exchange for the state dropping three other counts of lewd conduct.
Boyce sentenced Hammond to four years determinant and six years indeterminate for the rape charge. The Judge gave the same sentence for the two lewd conduct charges ordering those to run consecutively with the rape sentencing. Boyce gave Hammond credit for the six months and 15 days that he spent in the Madison County Jail.
Hammond’s parents spoke prior to the sentencing and reported sthey had a counselor lined up to help him, another 12-step program for him to attend and a job he could work at while serving probation at home in Oregon.
Connor Hammond’s Rexburg Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bishop also spoke highly of Hammond. Numerous letters in support of Hammond from friends and Latter-day Saints missionary friends in Australia were presented to Boyce.
Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood reported that the victim initially told Hammond that she was 18, but later admitted she was 14. The victim also told him her dad was deployed with the Army. Such information gave Hammond the opportunity to manipulate the vulnerable girl, Wood said.
Wood reported that Hammond had fondled the breast of a 17-year-old Oregon girl earlier this year. He also stated that while Hammond was in Australia and under constant supervision, he had five sexual encounters where he fondled a girl’s breast. Hammond had also failed a polygraph test where he lied about other sexual incidents.
Hammond told investigators that he never forced the girl to have sex and told them she convinced him to visit her home, Wood said.
“That’s true. We understand a 14-year-old is confused and is acting out. Both agreed (sex) happened, but they have different stories. No one other than Mr. Hammond knows exactly what happened,” Wood said.
Wood reported that Hammond told investigators that he felt pressure to get married following his Church mission.
“It’s mind boggling any 21-year-old BYU-Idaho student would settle down with a 14-year-old girl and have a family,” he said.
Wood also noted news reports where Hammond texted BYU-Idaho students telling them he had an impression to type their names into Facebook and hoped to meet them.
“He was preying on religious vulnerability and naivety at the same time,” he said.
Wood told Boyce that Hammond had proven he couldn’t be trusted and any kind of probation or a one-year rider would show the community that child rape wasn’t taken seriously. Wood also asked Boyce to sentence Hammond to at least six years in prison and to pay a $5,000 civil fine.
Meek spoke and reminded the Judge that Hammond had no previous criminal record, and that he had graduated from a 12-step program while held at the Madison County Jail.
“The retrospective of anyone’s life is that they’re not weighed wholly on the bad decisions they make. Connor Hammond certainly made some poor decisions. Those poor decisions shouldn’t be the only things that this court looks at in examining his sentencing today,” he said.
Meek noted that Hammond was “looking for love in all the wrong places. That could not be any more true than it was at the time this incident took place. He tried to find love with other adult partners. He needs someone to rely on in order to feel loved and cared for.”
Meek reminded the Judge that Hammond’s victim lied about her age, but agreed that Hammond should have ended the relationship when she admitted her age.
“He wanted to be in a relationship. She asked if they could be boyfriend and girlfriend — perfectly playing into his psychological issue. He recognizes now that he needed her, but he should have been smart enough to end it,” he said.
Meek reported that Hammond admits that what he did was wrong and that he has an addiction to pornography that he’s sought treatment for.
“Those are not the statements of an individual who believes ‘I didn’t do anything wrong.’ ‘It wasn’t me.’ ‘It’s all her fault.’ Rather, it’s somebody taking ownership for what he’s done,” Meek said.
Meek reports that Hammond has written an apology letter to his victim, but the letter has not been sent because of a no contact order in place between the two.
Hammond also spoke and apologized to the victim, the victim’s family, his family, the community and BYU-Idaho.
“I know I’ll have a lot of hurtful words thrown at me. I know I’m strong enough to get through this with support from my family. I know I need a lot of help. I’m willing to get that help. I just want to have friends that I’ve known for a long time,” he said.
The Judge noted how complex the case was, and that the state and the defense had suggested vastly different punishments.
“This occurred in Mr. Hammond’s car that got stuck in the snow bank. A 14-year-old girl was in the car. The officer had some suspicions about what was going on,” he said.
Police reports stated that officers found the pair on February 26 at Beaver Dick Park where Hammond admitted to having sex with the girl.
The Judge expressed concerns that Hammond failed to pass the polygraph test and had previous sexual contact with other underage girls.
Boyce was adamant that Hammond’s victim shouldn’t be blamed for what happened.
“There was a comment made in sentencing that ‘What’s causing her to invite men into her home?’ Men don’t go into minor children’s home for these types of activities which have been stated inappropriately as a relationship,” he said. “It’s far beyond that. It’s an illegal relationship. It’s against the law. It’s rape. It’s lewd conduct with a child und 16.”
The Judge pointed out the damage done to the victim and her family.
“The victim is going to take some time to get through this,” he said.
Boyce extended the no contact order between Hammond and his victim. He also ordered that Hammond register as a sex offender.
Hammond will have the opportunity to appeal the sentence should he choose to do so.”
“Boyce sentenced Hammond to four years determinant and six years indeterminate for the rape charge. The Judge gave the same sentence for the two lewd conduct charges ordering those to run consecutively with the rape sentencing. Boyce gave Hammond credit for the six months and 15 days that he spent in the Madison County Jail.” Rexburg Standard Journal
Have any info on this case? Contact FLOODLIT.
Sources
- Former BYU-I student sentenced up to a decade for child rape - Rexburg Standard Journal - 2019-09-09,
- Judge upholds former BYU-Idaho student’s sentence for rape,
- Her blood “went cold” when she found out he was arrested for rape. Now she’s warning others.,
- Former BYU-I student gets up to 10 years for rape of child ,
- Former BYU-I student sentenced for raping 14-year-old,
- Court documents reveal new details about man accused of sex crimes,
- Former BYU-Idaho student ‘looking for love’ sent to prison for raping teenage girl,
- CR33-19-0346 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. Connor Allapowa Hammond Defendant,
- Connor Allapowa Hammond / IN COMMUNITY IN OREGON,
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1. Former BYU-I student sentenced up to a decade for child rape - Rexburg Standard Journal - 2019-09-09
REXBURG – A former Brigham Young University student faces up to a decade in prison for the rape and lewd conduct of a 14-year-old girl he met on Tinder.
Connor Hammond and his attorneys Kristopher Meek and Dan Dummar met before Seventh District Court Judge Steven Boyce on Monday. There, Hammond pled guilty to one charge of rape and two counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 in exchange for the state dropping three other counts of lewd conduct.
Boyce sentenced Hammond to four years determinant and six years indeterminate for the rape charge. The Judge gave the same sentence for the two lewd conduct charges ordering those to run consecutively with the rape sentencing. Boyce gave Hammond credit for the six months and 15 days that he spent in the Madison County Jail.
Hammond’s parents spoke prior to the sentencing and reported sthey had a counselor lined up to help him, another 12-step program for him to attend and a job he could work at while serving probation at home in Oregon.
Connor Hammond’s Rexburg Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bishop also spoke highly of Hammond. Numerous letters in support of Hammond from friends and Latter-day Saints missionary friends in Australia were presented to Boyce.
Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood reported that the victim initially told Hammond that she was 18, but later admitted she was 14. The victim also told him her dad was deployed with the Army. Such information gave Hammond the opportunity to manipulate the vulnerable girl, Wood said.
Wood reported that Hammond had fondled the breast of a 17-year-old Oregon girl earlier this year. He also stated that while Hammond was in Australia and under constant supervision, he had five sexual encounters where he fondled a girl’s breast. Hammond had also failed a polygraph test where he lied about other sexual incidents.
Hammond told investigators that he never forced the girl to have sex and told them she convinced him to visit her home, Wood said.
“That’s true. We understand a 14-year-old is confused and is acting out. Both agreed (sex) happened, but they have different stories. No one other than Mr. Hammond knows exactly what happened,” Wood said.
Wood reported that Hammond told investigators that he felt pressure to get married following his Church mission.
“It’s mind boggling any 21-year-old BYU-Idaho student would settle down with a 14-year-old girl and have a family,” he said.
Wood also noted news reports where Hammond texted BYU-Idaho students telling them he had an impression to type their names into Facebook and hoped to meet them.
“He was preying on religious vulnerability and naivety at the same time,” he said.
Wood told Boyce that Hammond had proven he couldn’t be trusted and any kind of probation or a one-year rider would show the community that child rape wasn’t taken seriously. Wood also asked Boyce to sentence Hammond to at least six years in prison and to pay a $5,000 civil fine.
Meek spoke and reminded the Judge that Hammond had no previous criminal record, and that he had graduated from a 12-step program while held at the Madison County Jail.
“The retrospective of anyone’s life is that they’re not weighed wholly on the bad decisions they make. Connor Hammond certainly made some poor decisions. Those poor decisions shouldn’t be the only things that this court looks at in examining his sentencing today,” he said.
Meek noted that Hammond was “looking for love in all the wrong places. That could not be any more true than it was at the time this incident took place. He tried to find love with other adult partners. He needs someone to rely on in order to feel loved and cared for.”
Meek reminded the Judge that Hammond’s victim lied about her age, but agreed that Hammond should have ended the relationship when she admitted her age.
“He wanted to be in a relationship. She asked if they could be boyfriend and girlfriend — perfectly playing into his psychological issue. He recognizes now that he needed her, but he should have been smart enough to end it,” he said.
Meek reported that Hammond admits that what he did was wrong and that he has an addiction to pornography that he’s sought treatment for.
“Those are not the statements of an individual who believes ‘I didn’t do anything wrong.’ ‘It wasn’t me.’ ‘It’s all her fault.’ Rather, it’s somebody taking ownership for what he’s done,” Meek said.
Meek reports that Hammond has written an apology letter to his victim, but the letter has not been sent because of a no contact order in place between the two.
Hammond also spoke and apologized to the victim, the victim’s family, his family, the community and BYU-Idaho.
“I know I’ll have a lot of hurtful words thrown at me. I know I’m strong enough to get through this with support from my family. I know I need a lot of help. I’m willing to get that help. I just want to have friends that I’ve known for a long time,” he said.
The Judge noted how complex the case was, and that the state and the defense had suggested vastly different punishments.
“This occurred in Mr. Hammond’s car that got stuck in the snow bank. A 14-year-old girl was in the car. The officer had some suspicions about what was going on,” he said.
Police reports stated that officers found the pair on February 26 at Beaver Dick Park where Hammond admitted to having sex with the girl.
The Judge expressed concerns that Hammond failed to pass the polygraph test and had previous sexual contact with other underage girls.
Boyce was adamant that Hammond’s victim shouldn’t be blamed for what happened.
“There was a comment made in sentencing that ‘What’s causing her to invite men into her home?’ Men don’t go into minor children’s home for these types of activities which have been stated inappropriately as a relationship,” he said. “It’s far beyond that. It’s an illegal relationship. It’s against the law. It’s rape. It’s lewd conduct with a child und 16.”
The Judge pointed out the damage done to the victim and her family.
“The victim is going to take some time to get through this,” he said.
Boyce extended the no contact order between Hammond and his victim. He also ordered that Hammond register as a sex offender.
Hammond will have the opportunity to appeal the sentence should he choose to do so.
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2. Judge upholds former BYU-Idaho student’s sentence for rape
REXBURG — A district judge upheld his sentence handed down to the former Brigham Young University-Idaho student sentenced for rape last year.
In January, attorneys for 22-year-old Connor Hammond asked District Judge Steven Boyce to reconsider the four- to 10-year prison sentence handed down for the rape in September. But in a court order signed Friday, Boyce denied the motion to reconsider Hammond’s sentence, dashing Hammond’s hope to be released on probation rather than serve more time in prison.
“The court concludes that its original sentence is not excessive nor is the sentence improper,” Boyce wrote in the six-page opinion. “Furthermore, the sentence serves to deter or prevent any future sexual misconduct on the part of Hammond and serves to deter society from such acts.”
Hammond pleaded guilty to felony rape where the victim is under 16 and two felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor in July 2019. According to court documents, the former Brigham Young University-Idaho student engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl in early 2019.
During a March 2 hearing, Boyce heard arguments from both Hammond’s attorney, Kristopher Meek, and Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood to reconsider the sentence. At this hearing, Meek presented additional confessions by Hammond of illegal sexual activity.
Meek wanted to show Hammond’s willingness to make a full confession about other possible criminal activity. These potentially illegal sexual activities came to light during a second polygraph test administered after his sentencing. His first polygraph, given before sentencing, revealed Hammond tried to deceive investigators.
Boyce wrote the fact Hammond disclosed more illegal sexual activity does not persuade him to give a more lenient sentence.
Meek also argued that the sentence Boyce handed down to Hammond was overly harsh, while providing data from other cases in Idaho. His goal was to show others who had committed similar crimes had not been sent to prison.
Boyce didn’t buy the argument, saying the statistics given were not “accurately representing” crimes similar to ones committed by Hammond.
Boyce affirmed that most similar cases received an average of five years in prison, which discredited Meek’s argument.
“The court also admonishes counsel (Meek) against presenting such misleading and inaccurate argument in future proceedings,” Boyce wrote in the opinion.
Hammond won’t be eligible for parole until February 2023, according to the Idaho Department of Correction. He remains held at the Idaho correctional institution in Orofino.
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3. Her blood “went cold” when she found out he was arrested for rape. Now she’s warning others.
REXBURG — It all started with bizarre Facebook messages.
“Hey! U want to go to the temple today and do a few otger (sic) fun things? Please Don’t take this weirdly. This is actually what happened. I hardly know anyone here. So what happened was i (sic) had a prompting to search ‘hannah byu idaho’ on Facebook and also message you. i (sic) dont know whats gonna come from it but that’s what happened.”
Hannah Weaver, a sophomore attending Brigham Young University-Idaho, had no idea who Connor Hammond was. They had never met and she made up a story that she had a boyfriend to decline Hammond’s offer to go out.
“Oh haha. Well maybe it’s another Hannah you’re meant to meet cause I’m dating someone,” Weaver replied.
That was in December. Then, on Sunday, Weaver received a message from Hammond’s account.
“Hey u still have a bf?”
She didn’t reply and days later Weaver says she felt her “blood go cold” upon learning that Hammond had been arrested on one count of rape and four counts of lewd conduct with a minor.
“Why do I recognize that guy?” Weaver thought when she saw the news. “Two seconds later I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! That is the guy that messaged me a couple of months ago and messaged me on Sunday.'”
Hammond, 21, was arrested Tuesday and remains locked up in the Madison County Jail on $200,000 bail. Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood asked Magistrate Judge Mark S. Rammell to seal the case so details surrounding the alleged assaults are not publicly available.
Wood did confirm to EastIdahoNews.com Friday that Hammond met the 14-year-old victim through social media and she met with Hammond in person after an exchange of messages.
Shocked by Hammond’s arrest, Weaver posted a message to her Instagram account about the experience. Equally surprising was the massive response from girls who said Hammond messaged them or they knew someone he had contacted. Weaver shared the post to her Facebook page and as of Friday, it had gone viral with over 70 young women shared similar stories of a Connor Hammond attempting to talk with them.
Contacting strangers on social media is not illegal and there is no evidence that Hammond broke any laws in what he wrote to young women in messages viewed by EastIdahoNews.com.
Weaver says even though the messages may appear innocent, she is sharing her experience to warn other girls about the dangers of social media.
“At any point you feel the person is creepy or feel uncomfortable, block that person,” Denise DeRosa, an online safety expert and founder of Cyber Sensible, tells EastIdahoNews.com. “Be cautious about who you are accepting a friend request from and who you are opening yourself up to.”
DeRosa says sometimes girls want to seem nice and friendly when somebody starts messaging them, but everyone should use caution in communicating with strangers and contact law enforcement if you feel you are being harassed.
Ellie Perkins, a sophomore at BYU-Idaho, says she started receiving messages from Hammond last week. She went out with him after he messaged her saying he saw her playing the ukulele and wanted her to teach him how to play the piano while he sang hymns. Perkins says something seemed a little off and when they got together, Hammond began to make her feel uncomfortable.
“When we got to the practice room, I sat at the piano and asked him what he wanted me to play. Then he looked at me and said ‘What do you mean?’ And I was like, ‘That is why you invited me, isn’t it?’ Perkins recalls. “Right then I knew that he was bad news and was planning to leave as early as possible.”
Perkins says Hammond “got super close” to her and she thought he would try to kiss her.
“It was so gross and uncomfortable. I dodged him and after I finished the song, I said that I had to leave to finish homework. I got out of there as fast as I could,” Perkins says.
Dozens of young women who say they were contacted by Hammond posted screen shots of their conversations under Weaver’s Facebook post:
hey! i just wanted to let u know that the reason i sent u a friend request was not random. when i saw your name i had the warmest feeling inside that i needed to talk to u. idk whats gonna come from it but i know the holy ghost told me too. back in june of this year i got ina car crash that involved 2 semi trucks and my car caught on fire and i had 5 times were i shoudlve died and the only thing left that wasnt burnt was a temple pamphlet of the salt lake temple and i noticed thats your cover photo. ill show u photos sometime. i know i have a purpose and there is a reason i am here. please do not take this as creepy or weird. i was kinda hesitant.”
“fiancé broke up with me today because someone lied to her and told her i cheated on her when i didnt and she blocked me on everything and she is gonna tell all my friends and parents about me. she made fake screenshots. She told me she’d fix it if i sent her money so i did and she didn’t fix it and ran off with it. i need a friend.”
BYU-Idaho did not respond to a request for comment but the university’s online directory no longer lists Hammond as a student. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 12 at the Madison County Courthouse.
Weaver is still shocked from the events of the past few days and hopes speaking out will help other young women in similar situations. Her post had been shared on Facebook over 1,100 times as of Friday afternoon with nearly 1,000 comments.
“A lot of times the (guys) will make you think you owe them a first date, an explanation, and you don’t owe them anything,” Weaver says.
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4. Former BYU-I student gets up to 10 years for rape of child
REXBURG — A former Brigham Young University-Idaho student faces up to a decade in prison for the rape and lewd conduct of a 14-year-old girl he met on Tinder.
Connor Hammond and his attorneys Kristopher Meek and Dan Dummar met before Seventh District Court Judge Steven Boyce on Monday. There, Hammond pled guilty to one charge of rape and two counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 in exchange for the state dropping three other counts of lewd conduct.
Boyce sentenced Hammond to four years determinant and six years indeterminate for the rape charge. The Judge gave the same sentence for the two lewd conduct charges ordering those to run consecutively with the rape sentencing. Boyce gave Hammond credit for the six months and 15 days that he spent in the Madison County Jail.
Hammond’s parents spoke prior to the sentencing and reported they had a counselor lined up to help him, another 12-step program for him to attend and a job he could work at while serving probation at home in Oregon.
Connor Hammond’s Rexburg bishop for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bishop also spoke highly of Hammond. Numerous letters in support of Hammond from friends and Latter-day Saints missionary friends in Australia were presented to Boyce.
Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood reported that the victim initially told Hammond that she was 18, but later admitted she was 14. The victim also told him her dad was deployed with the Army. Such information gave Hammond the opportunity to manipulate the vulnerable girl, Wood said.
Wood reported that Hammond had fondled the breast of a 17-year-old Oregon girl earlier this year. He also stated that while Hammond was in Australia and under constant supervision, he had five sexual encounters where he fondled a girl’s breast. Hammond had also failed a polygraph test where he lied about other sexual incidents.
Hammond told investigators that he never forced the girl to have sex and told them she convinced him to visit her home, Wood said.
“That’s true. We understand a 14-year-old is confused and is acting out. Both agreed (sex) happened, but they have different stories. No one other than Mr. Hammond knows exactly what happened,” Wood said.
Wood reported that Hammond told investigators that he felt pressure to get married following his Church mission.
“It’s mind boggling any 21-year-old BYU-Idaho student would settle down with a 14-year-old girl and have a family,” he said.
Wood also noted news reports where Hammond texted BYU-Idaho students telling them he had an impression to type their names into Facebook and hoped to meet them.
“He was preying on religious vulnerability and naivety at the same time,” he said.
Wood told Boyce that Hammond had proven he couldn’t be trusted and any kind of probation or a one-year rider would show the community that child rape wasn’t taken seriously. Wood also asked Boyce to sentence Hammond to at least six years in prison and to pay a $5,000 civil fine.
Meek spoke and reminded the Judge that Hammond had no previous criminal record, and that he had graduated from a 12-step program while held at the Madison County Jail.
“The retrospective of anyone’s life is that they’re not weighed wholly on the bad decisions they make. Connor Hammond certainly made some poor decisions. Those poor decisions shouldn’t be the only things that this court looks at in examining his sentencing today,” he said.
Meek noted that Hammond was “looking for love in all the wrong places. That could not be any more true than it was at the time this incident took place. He tried to find love with other adult partners. He needs someone to rely on in order to feel loved and cared for.”
Meek reminded the Judge that Hammond’s victim lied about her age, but agreed that Hammond should have ended the relationship when she admitted her age.
“He wanted to be in a relationship. She asked if they could be boyfriend and girlfriend — perfectly playing into his psychological issue. He recognizes now that he needed her, but he should have been smart enough to end it,” he said.
Meek reported that Hammond admits that what he did was wrong and that he has an addiction to pornography that he’s sought treatment for.
“Those are not the statements of an individual who believes ‘I didn’t do anything wrong.’ ‘It wasn’t me.’ ‘It’s all her fault.’ Rather, it’s somebody taking ownership for what he’s done,” Meek said.
Meek reports that Hammond has written an apology letter to his victim, but the letter has not been sent because of a no contact order in place between the two.
Hammond also spoke and apologized to the victim, the victim’s family, his family, the community and BYU-Idaho.
“I know I’ll have a lot of hurtful words thrown at me. I know I’m strong enough to get through this with support from my family. I know I need a lot of help. I’m willing to get that help. I just want to have friends that I’ve known for a long time,” he said.
The Judge noted how complex the case was, and that the state and the defense had suggested vastly different punishments.
“This occurred in Mr. Hammond’s car that got stuck in the snow bank. A 14-year-old girl was in the car. The officer had some suspicions about what was going on,” he said.
Police reports stated that officers found the pair on February 26 at Beaver Dick Park where Hammond admitted to having sex with the girl.
The Judge expressed concerns that Hammond failed to pass the polygraph test and had previous sexual contact with other underage girls.
Boyce was adamant that Hammond’s victim shouldn’t be blamed for what happened.
“There was a comment made in sentencing that ‘What’s causing her to invite men into her home?’ Men don’t go into minor children’s home for these types of activities which have been stated inappropriately as a relationship,” he said. “It’s far beyond that. It’s an illegal relationship. It’s against the law. It’s rape. It’s lewd conduct with a child und 16.”
The Judge pointed out the damage done to the victim and her family.
“The victim is going to take some time to get through this,” he said.
Boyce extended the no contact order between Hammond and his victim. He also ordered that Hammond register as a sex offender.
Hammond will have the opportunity to appeal the sentence should he choose to do so.
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5. Former BYU-I student sentenced for raping 14-year-old
The following is a story written and reported by Eric Grossarth of East Idaho News:
REXBURG — A man who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old girl “was looking for love in all the wrong places,” his defense attorney said in a sentencing hearing Monday.
Connor Hammond, 22, will spend at least four years in prison for the rape, with a maximum of 10 years possible. He must also pay a $1,000 fine, $5,000 to the victim and restitution. Hammond originally pleaded guilty to felony rape where the victim is under 16 and two felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor in July.
The sentence came after more than an hour of contradicting accounts of Hammond’s character. According to court documents, the former Brigham Young University-Idaho student engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl in January and February.
“We don’t know the important things about Mr. Hammond that we need to know,” said Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood. “We don’t know them because he won’t tell us. At least not in a way that a polygraph will tell us he is.”
Wood said Hammond took a polygraph as part of a pre-sentencing investigation and psychosexual evaluation. During the interview, the examiner asked Hammond questions related to his sexual history. Results from the test showed deception, prompting investigators to push deeper and revealing a troublesome past, they said.
“The victim, in this case, is not the first child he engaged in sexual activity with,” Wood said. “Yes, this might be his first conviction, (but) it’s not the first time he’s engaged with a minor child in sexual activity.”
Wood said Hammond told investigators that while he was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia, he fondled the exposed breast of a girl at least twice over a five- to six-month period. Wood did not give details about the encounters, but if church authorities knew of the behavior, its policy dictates Hammond would have been sent home from his mission and reported to law enforcement.
In further interviews, Hammond said within the past year, he fondled the breast of a 17-year-old girl while in Oregon.
Wood said Hammond does not accept full responsibility for the rape and lewd conduct. In court, Wood revealed Hammond met the 14-year-old victim on Tinder, an adult dating app. Hammond also suggested that he wanted to have a longterm relationship with her and settle down together.
“That is mind-boggling that any 21-year-old at BYU-Idaho would think they’re going to settle down with a 14-year-old and have a family,” Wood said. “This is manipulative. He’s trying to make us think he has these good intentions.”
Defense attorneys Kristopher Meek and Dan Dummar presented quotes from a list of Hammond’s supporters, including church leaders, family, friends and former mission companions.
“The first moment we were able to speak with Connor in the days after his arrest, he struggled to speak with us because he was so distraught and upset,” Chris Hammond, Connor Hammond’s father, said in court. “I will never forget one of the first things he said to me was, ‘Now I’ll never have my own family.’ He thought that his life was over.”
He described his son as a naive dreamer lacking in maturity but said Hammond would be successful on probation. Chris Hammond said they’ve secured employment opportunities for Hammond and treatment through a 12-step program while asking that his son return to live with them in Oregon.
“As Connor’s parents, we’ve spent the last six and a half months analyzing the circumstances and the choices that have lead to this court,” said Elise Hammond, Connor Hammond’s mother. “Connor has been humble and broken from the moment he’s been booked in jail, and he’s frequently acknowledged his choices and how they’ve broken hearts.”
She said they’ve had to exercise strength in not posting the $200,000 bail.
“We feel assured that we have prepared what is needed to aid in Connor’s success,” Elise Hammond said.
Meek said Hammond made poor choices, but it shouldn’t be the only thing the court looks at when deciding a sentence.
“It’s been said Mr. Hammond was looking for love in all the wrong places,” Meek said. “That could not be any more true today than it was at the time this incident took place.”
Meek said Hammond attempted to find love with other adults and that his client’s wish for a relationship led him to seek out the victim.
“At first (the victim) posed herself as an adult on Tinder,” Meek said. “She’s a 14-year-old individual who clearly lied in her statement when she signed up for this app.”
Hammond did learn the victim’s true age before engaging in a relationship with the girl, Meek said.
“Connor at the time was needy. He wanted to be in a relationship and to find love,” Meek said. “She asked if they could be boyfriend and girlfriend, perfectly playing into his psychological issue … He found someone he could depend on for part of that emotional connection he needed. … He (recognizes) now that he needed her but should have been smart enough to end it.”
Hammond’s attorneys recommended that he serve probation and cited the psychosexual evaluation’s recommendation of probation. Wood argued that prison would be the best option.
“I don’t think anyone can say the defendant really accepts responsibility for what happened,” Wood said. “He saw a vulnerable child, and he pounced.”
Hammond briefly spoke during the sentencing and said he knows he has a lot of weaknesses but hopes to turn those into strengths.
“I just want everyone to know that I’m really, really sorry,” Hammond said. “Especially BYU-Idaho, my family, the victim and her family.”
District Judge Steven Boyce agreed with Wood that Hammond belongs behind bars and ordered him to go to prison.
“There are a lot of aggravating factors in this case,” Boyce said. “I do have some concerns about the posture of the description of the events where I do think there’s been a fair amount of blame attempted to be put upon the victim.”
Once Hammond is released from prison, he is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
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6. Court documents reveal new details about man accused of sex crimes
An affidavit of probable cause, obtained by EastIdahoNews.com, states that on Feb. 26, Madison County Sheriff deputies pulled up to a car that appeared to be stuck in the snow just outside of Beaver Dick Park.
Hammond was inside the vehicle with a 14-year-old girl and deputies found a used condom wrapper on the floor, according to court documents.
RELATED: Her blood “went cold” when she found out he was arrested for rape. Now she’s warning others.
Investigators began to question the two, but say Hammond and the victim gave conflicting information and kept changing their stories.
After some time, deputies were able to learn that the two had allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse. The victim was taken to Madison Memorial Hospital by her grandfather for a sexual assault exam.
According to documents, Hammond said he knew the girl was only 14. He initially denied that he had done anything wrong but admitted that he and victim had several previous sexual encounters.
Hammond is from Oregon and was attending Brigham Young University-Idaho at the time of the alleged crimes. He was arraigned on April 1 and a jury trial is scheduled for July 17. He remains in the Madison County Jail on $200,000 bail.
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7. Former BYU-Idaho student ‘looking for love’ sent to prison for raping teenage girl
REXBURG — A man who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old girl “was looking for love in all the wrong places,” his defense attorney said in a sentencing hearing Monday.
Connor Hammond, 22, will spend at least four years in prison for the rape, with a maximum of 10 years possible. He must also pay a $1,000 fine, $5,000 to the victim and restitution. Hammond originally pleaded guilty to felony rape where the victim is under 16 and two felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor in July.
The sentence came after more than an hour of contradicting accounts of Hammond’s character. According to court documents, the former Brigham Young University-Idaho student engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl in January and February.
“We don’t know the important things about Mr. Hammond that we need to know,” said Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood. “We don’t know them because he won’t tell us. At least not in a way that a polygraph will tell us he is.”
Wood said Hammond took a polygraph as part of a pre-sentencing investigation and psychosexual evaluation. During the interview, the examiner asked Hammond questions related to his sexual history. Results from the test showed deception, prompting investigators to push deeper and revealing a troublesome past, they said.
“The victim, in this case, is not the first child he engaged in sexual activity with,” Wood said. “Yes, this might be his first conviction, (but) it’s not the first time he’s engaged with a minor child in sexual activity.”
Wood said Hammond told investigators that while he was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia, he fondled the exposed breast of a girl at least twice over a five- to six-month period. Wood did not give details about the encounters, but if church authorities knew of the behavior, its policy dictates Hammond would have been sent home from his mission and reported to law enforcement.
In further interviews, Hammond said within the past year, he fondled the breast of a 17-year-old girl while in Oregon.
Wood said Hammond does not accept full responsibility for the rape and lewd conduct. In court, Wood revealed Hammond met the 14-year-old victim on Tinder, an adult dating app. Hammond also suggested that he wanted to have a longterm relationship with her and settle down together.
“That is mind-boggling that any 21-year-old at BYU-Idaho would think they’re going to settle down with a 14-year-old and have a family,” Wood said. “This is manipulative. He’s trying to make us think he has these good intentions.”
Defense attorneys Kristopher Meek and Dan Dummar presented quotes from a list of Hammond’s supporters, including church leaders, family, friends and former mission companions.
“The first moment we were able to speak with Connor in the days after his arrest, he struggled to speak with us because he was so distraught and upset,” Chris Hammond, Connor Hammond’s father, said in court. “I will never forget one of the first things he said to me was, ‘Now I’ll never have my own family.’ He thought that his life was over.”
He described his son as a naive dreamer lacking in maturity but said Hammond would be successful on probation. Chris Hammond said they’ve secured employment opportunities for Hammond and treatment through a 12-step program while asking that his son return to live with them in Oregon.
“As Connor’s parents, we’ve spent the last six and a half months analyzing the circumstances and the choices that have lead to this court,” said Elise Hammond, Connor Hammond’s mother. “Connor has been humble and broken from the moment he’s been booked in jail, and he’s frequently acknowledged his choices and how they’ve broken hearts.”
She said they’ve had to exercise strength in not posting the $200,000 bail.
“We feel assured that we have prepared what is needed to aid in Connor’s success,” Elise Hammond said.
Meek said Hammond made poor choices, but it shouldn’t be the only thing the court looks at when deciding a sentence.
“It’s been said Mr. Hammond was looking for love in all the wrong places,” Meek said. “That could not be any more true today than it was at the time this incident took place.”
Meek said Hammond attempted to find love with other adults and that his client’s wish for a relationship led him to seek out the victim.
“At first (the victim) posed herself as an adult on Tinder,” Meek said. “She’s a 14-year-old individual who clearly lied in her statement when she signed up for this app.”
Hammond did learn the victim’s true age before engaging in a relationship with the girl, Meek said.
“Connor at the time was needy. He wanted to be in a relationship and to find love,” Meek said. “She asked if they could be boyfriend and girlfriend, perfectly playing into his psychological issue … He found someone he could depend on for part of that emotional connection he needed. … He (recognizes) now that he needed her but should have been smart enough to end it.”
Hammond’s attorneys recommended that he serve probation and cited the psychosexual evaluation’s recommendation of probation. Wood argued that prison would be the best option.
“I don’t think anyone can say the defendant really accepts responsibility for what happened,” Wood said. “He saw a vulnerable child, and he pounced.”
Hammond briefly spoke during the sentencing and said he knows he has a lot of weaknesses but hopes to turn those into strengths.
“I just want everyone to know that I’m really, really sorry,” Hammond said. “Especially BYU-Idaho, my family, the victim and her family.”
District Judge Steven Boyce agreed with Wood that Hammond belongs behind bars and ordered him to go to prison.
“There are a lot of aggravating factors in this case,” Boyce said. “I do have some concerns about the posture of the description of the events where I do think there’s been a fair amount of blame attempted to be put upon the victim.”
Once Hammond is released from prison, he is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
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8. CR33-19-0346 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. Connor Allapowa Hammond Defendant
Case Information
CR33-19-0346 | State of Idaho Plaintiff, vs. Connor Allapowa Hammond Defendant.
Case Number
CR33-19-0346Court
Madison County District CourtJudicial Officer
Boyce, Steven WFile Date
02/26/2019Case Type
CriminalCase Status
ClosedCharge
Charges
Hammond, Connor Allapowa
Description Statute Level Date
1 Rape-Victim is 16 or 17 YOA and Perpetrator is 3 years or More Older Than the Victim I18-6101(2) Felony 02/26/2019
2 Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16 I18-1508 Felony 02/26/2019
3 Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16 I18-1508 Felony 02/26/2019
4 Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16 I18-1508 Felony 02/26/2019
5 Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16 I18-1508 Felony 02/26/2019Disposition Events
04/01/2019 Plea
Judicial Officer
Shindurling, Jon J.
1
Rape-Victim is 16 or 17 YOA and Perpetrator is 3 years or More Older Than the VictimNot Guilty
2
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Not Guilty
3
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Not Guilty
4
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Not Guilty
5
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Not Guilty
07/15/2019 Plea
Judicial Officer
Boyce, Steven W
1
Rape-Victim is 16 or 17 YOA and Perpetrator is 3 years or More Older Than the VictimGuilty
2
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Guilty
3
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Guilty
09/09/2019 Disposition
Judicial Officer
Boyce, Steven W
1
Rape-Victim is 16 or 17 YOA and Perpetrator is 3 years or More Older Than the VictimGuilty (Plea Agreement)
2
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Guilty (Plea Agreement)
3
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Guilty (Plea Agreement)
4
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Dismissed on Motion of Prosecutor
5
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Dismissed on Motion of Prosecutor
09/09/2019 Felony Sentence
1
Rape-Victim is 16 or 17 YOA and Perpetrator is 3 years or More Older Than the VictimFelony Sentence
Confinement
Type: State Prison
Facility: Idaho Department of Correction
Effective Date: 09/09/2019
Determinate: 4 Years
Indeterminate: 6 Years
Concurrent with other charge – this case
Pre-Sentence Credit for Time Served
Credit Term: 196 Days
09/09/2019 Felony Sentence
2
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Felony Sentence
Confinement
Type: State Prison
Facility: Idaho Department of Correction
Effective Date: 09/09/2019
Determinate: 4 Years
Indeterminate: 6 Years
Concurrent with other charge – this case
09/09/2019 Felony Sentence
3
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16Felony Sentence
Confinement
Type: State Prison
Facility: Idaho Department of Correction
Effective Date: 09/09/2019
Determinate: 4 Years
Indeterminate: 6 Years
Concurrent with other charge – this case
02/26/2019 Motion
Comment
to Seal Affidavit and Police Report02/26/2019 Order
Comment
Sealing Affidavit and Police Report03/28/2019 Motion
Comment
to Reopen Affidavit And Police Report04/08/2019 Order
Comment
to Reopen Affidavit and Police Report09/09/2019 Sentencing
Judicial Officer
Boyce, Steven WHearing Time
09:30 AMResult
Hearing Held
Parties PresentState: State of Idaho
Defendant: Hammond, Connor Allapowa
Attorney of Record: Dummar, Dan Cid
Attorney of Record: Meek, Kristopher Dean
09/09/2019 Case Final Judgment Entered
09/10/2019 Court Minutes
09/12/2019 Judgment of Conviction
01/09/2020 Motion for Reconsideration
01/24/2020 Motion
Comment
to Temporarily Release PSI01/24/2020 Request for Discovery
01/28/2020 Notice of Hearing
01/29/2020 Order
Comment
Releasing PSI02/25/2020 Response to Request for Discovery
Comment
Defendant's03/02/2020 Motion for Rule 35
Judicial Officer
Boyce, Steven WHearing Time
10:30 AMResult
Hearing Held
Parties PresentState: State of Idaho
Prosecuting Attorney: Wood, Robert H.
Defendant
Attorney of Record: Meek, Kristopher Dean
03/02/2020 Court Minutes
03/20/2020 Order
Comment
Denying Defendant's Motion for Reconsideration of Sentence I.C. R. Rule 3510/13/2022 Order
Comment
Under Idaho Code 19-5307 -
9. Connor Allapowa Hammond / IN COMMUNITY IN OREGON
Connor Allapowa Hammond
IDOC #: 134046
Status: In community
Current Physical Location: Oregon
Age: 28
Supervising District
Interstate Compact
1299 N. Orchard St
Boise, Idaho 83706Supervising Officer
HANCHETT, JOSHUA KPhone Number
2086582000Offense Sentencing County Case No. Status** Released to Supervision* Sentence Satisfaction Date
Children-Lewd Conduct with Child Under 16 Madison 33-19-0346 Parole 02/27/2023 02/24/2029
Rape-Victim is 16 or 17 YOA and Perpetrator is 3 years or More Older Than the Victim Madison 33-19-0346 Parole 02/27/2023 02/24/2029
Documents
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