A Gloucester man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston on July 23 to sexually exploiting a minor and possessing child sexual abuse material. Robert Burnham, 44, entered the plea before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris, who scheduled sentencing for Dec. 3. Burnham was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2025 and remains detained pending trial.
According to charging documents, between June 11, 2024, and Oct. 4, 2024, Burnham persuaded and coerced a 13-year-old minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing pictures and videos that were transmitted to him via social media. Additionally, on April 28, 2025, he knowingly possessed files depicting child sexual abuse material.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a minor carries a sentence of at least fifteen years in prison, at least five years up to lifetime supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. The possession charge provides for up to twenty years in prison with similar supervised release terms and fines. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, announced the plea agreement today. Assistance was provided by Harper County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Kansas City Division, Lincoln Police Department, and Gloucester Police Department; Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts enforces federal laws through prosecutions including national security threats and civil rights violations; it serves all residents across Massachusetts with offices located at the John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse in Boston as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester; employs over two hundred attorneys along with paralegals and professional staff; advances community initiatives on civil rights protection; is part of the United States Department of Justice, according to the official website.