Burns couple in Franklin County Missouri

Executive Summary: 

On July 30, 2023, William Burns (~ 41 years old) and Rachel Burns (~35 years old) were arrested by University City Police Department after the couple traveled to meet a girl they thought was 11-years old and whom they intended to take home to sexually abuse. After further investigation, the Burns were found to be in possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that they created with a one-year-old child on their electronic devices.  

Rachel Burns was sentenced to 35 years in prison, and William Burns was sentenced to 40 years in prison. 

Background:  

William Burns’ sentencing memorandum states that he entered the foster care system at the age of six due to his mother’s mental health. Before entering foster care, Burns is alleged to have been sexually abused by multiple individuals starting at the age of three. While in foster care, Burns was the victim of physical and sexual abuse by multiple caretakers. Burns suffered from depression and was hospitalized for attempted suicide. Burns’ sentencing memorandum also identifies him as a user of crack cocaine and marijuana.  

A woman testified in a hearing that when she was 18 years old, she met, William Burns, who was 33 years old at that time. She stated that William Burns physically and sexually abused her and showed her a video of the rape of an infant. Burns allegedly told the woman that he wanted to have children with her and then have sex with their children.  

At the time of the Burns were arrest, two children were reported to have been in their car. 

Following their arrest, law enforcement searched William and Rachel Burns’ electronic devices and located a video of William and Rachel Burns sexually abusing a one-year-old child, as well as 13,954 images and videos containing CSAM.

Rachel Burns will be approximately 65 years old when she is released from prison, and William Burns will be approximately 75 years old when he is released from prison.  

Was justice served?

References:

www.justice.gov

William Burns pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography, three counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

www.justice.gov

During the lapse in government funding, the U.S. Attorney’s offices in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau were working hard to continue their mission. Here are just some of the things that happened that we weren’t able to discuss at the time.

https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/franklin-co-couple-admits-to-producing-csam-of-1-year-old/