A Shelton man has pleaded guilty to a federal child exploitation charge. David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Burnest Geyer, Jr., 32, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven after waiving his right to be indicted.
Court records and statements indicate that investigators discovered Geyer had discussed possessing child pornography videos with one individual and had communicated via Telegram with another person about his collection. In July 2024, during a Telegram conversation, Geyer shared his laptop screen and showed images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Geyer was arrested on October 8, 2024. Investigators searched his home under court authorization and seized an iPhone along with other items. Analysis of the device revealed over 3,000 images and videos showing child pornography, including material involving infants and toddlers.
Further investigation found that Geyer participated in dozens of conversations on Telegram and WhatsApp discussing his interest in the sexual abuse of minors. He also offered to pay adult content creators to sexually exploit their children over video calls.
Geyer pleaded guilty to receipt and distribution of child pornography. This offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of twenty years. A sentencing date has not been set.
Geyer is currently free on a $100,000 bond but faces a detention hearing scheduled for tomorrow in Bridgeport.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the Bridgeport Police Department and the Shelton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon is prosecuting the case.
According to information from the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, this prosecution is part of broader efforts aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation (https://www.justice.gov/psc).
To report cases related to child exploitation, individuals are encouraged to visit https://www.cybertipline.com/.
