A Franklin County couple has confessed to producing images and videos involving child sexual abuse material, including the abuse of a toddler. William Burns, aged 41, entered a guilty plea in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Friday to several charges, including conspiracy and production of child pornography. His wife, Rachel Burns, aged 34, pleaded guilty earlier to related charges.
The couple was apprehended on July 30, 2023, by University City Police with two young children present in their vehicle. They faced charges of attempted child enticement in St. Louis County Circuit Court. During investigations, Rachel Burns revealed her husband's possession of child sexual abuse material on multiple devices. This led to a search by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office where they discovered electronic devices alongside various sexual paraphernalia.
Authorities uncovered over 13,000 files depicting child sexual abuse material on these devices. William Burns was found using WhatsApp to share such content with other users. Additionally, investigators discovered a video from 2022 showing both individuals abusing a one-year-old victim.
Rachel Burns will face sentencing on August 25 with a recommended sentence not exceeding 35 years by the U.S. Attorney’s office. William Burns is set for sentencing on September 3 with a suggested sentence ranging between 35 and 40 years.
The case involved collaborative efforts from the University City Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Louis County Police Department under the prosecution of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes.
This investigation falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse through federal and local cooperation.
For more details about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
