Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Gloucester resident, Robert Burnham, 44, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. Authorities allege that between June 11, 2024, and October 4, 2024, Burnham persuaded and coerced a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit acts for the purpose of creating images and videos that were sent to him via social media. Additionally, he is accused of knowingly possessing files depicting child sexual abuse material on April 28, 2025.
Burnham was arrested in September 2025 following a criminal complaint and remains detained while awaiting arraignment in federal court.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with at least five years and up to life on supervised release, as well as a fine up to $250,000. The possession charge could result in up to 20 years imprisonment, at least five years and up to life supervised release, and a similar fine. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: "The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law." The announcement was made jointly with Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. Additional support came from the Harper County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Kansas City office, Lincoln Police Department, and Gloucester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm from the Major Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.
