A couple from Franklin County, Missouri, has admitted to producing images and videos containing child sexual abuse material, including the abuse of a one-year-old. William Burns, 41, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to charges including conspiracy to produce child pornography and possession of child pornography. His wife, Rachel Burns, 34, also pleaded guilty to related charges.
The couple was arrested on July 30, 2023, by the University City Police Department with two small children in their car and were initially charged with attempted enticement of a child. A subsequent investigation led by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office uncovered electronic devices containing over 13,000 files depicting child sexual abuse material.
William Burns used WhatsApp to exchange these materials with others. Investigators found a video from 2022 showing the couple abusing a one-year-old child and other incriminating media from 2022 and 2023.
Rachel Burns is set for sentencing on August 25, with prosecutors recommending no more than 35 years in prison. William Burns will be sentenced on September 3, with a recommended sentence between 35 and 40 years.
The case was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child exploitation.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
