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) 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.
Court documents and statements indicate that Burnham was previously convicted in state court in 2016 for possession of child pornography in the second degree. His probation ended 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, his residence was searched by parole officers and Connecticut State Police after suspicions arose about his use of an unauthorized electronic device. The search led to the seizure of three cellphones containing over 2,000 images and videos depicting child sex abuse.
Burnham reportedly used encrypted messaging applications like Telegram to trade child sex abuse material and accessed various 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 charges against Burnham include receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 40 years. He is also charged with possession of child pornography, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 20 years. These penalties are enhanced due to his prior state convictions.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan emphasized that these charges are allegations and not evidence of guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation is being conducted by HSI with support from 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc or www.cybertipline.com.
