David X. Sullivan, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, along with Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New England, announced charges against Nicholas Burnham, a 33-year-old former resident of East Hartford. Burnham faces federal criminal charges related to child exploitation offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Burnham was previously convicted in state court for possession of child pornography in the second degree in 2016. His probation was terminated in 2018 following a conviction for possession of child pornography in the first degree. In 2023, he began serving a term of special parole. On December 17, 2024, parole officers and the Connecticut State Police searched his residence after suspecting him of using an unauthorized electronic device. They seized three cellphones which were found to contain over 2,000 images and videos depicting child sex abuse.
Burnham reportedly used Telegram and other encrypted messaging applications to trade child sex abuse material and accessed numerous webpages to view and download such content. He has been detained since December 17, 2024, and made his initial appearance in Hartford federal court on May 30, 2025.
The complaint against Burnham includes charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment with a maximum term of up to 40 years. He is also charged with possession of child pornography which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment with a maximum term up to 20 years. The penalties are enhanced due to his prior state convictions.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan emphasized that "a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt." He added that "charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
The investigation involves Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Connecticut Department of Correction’s Division of Parole and Community Services, as well as the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles is prosecuting this case under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood or to report cases of child exploitation, individuals can visit www.justice.gov/psc or www.cybertipline.com.
