U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced the arrest of Kevin Burns, a 45-year-old resident of Irondequoit, New York. Burns faces charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. If convicted, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 20 years, along with a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford is handling the case. According to Hartford, the investigation began in October 2023 when the New York State Police received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an individual in Rochester uploading an image of child pornography online. Investigators traced these images back to Burns, who was working as a teacher in Monroe County at that time.
In November 2024, authorities executed a search warrant at Burns’ home and seized his computer. A forensic examination revealed over 450 images depicting child pornography, including children engaged in sexual acts with adults and children who were restrained or blindfolded.
Burns appeared before U.S. District Judge Colleen D. Holland this afternoon and was held pending a detention hearing.
The investigation involved efforts by the New York State Police under Major Kevin Sucher and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led by Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
It is important to note that while charges have been filed against Burns, he remains innocent until proven guilty in court.
