Nevada man sentenced to 65 years in prison for sexual exploitation of minors

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A Nevada man has been sentenced to 65 years in prison and lifetime visitation supervision for sexually exploiting numerous minors for the purpose of promoting and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

James Patrick Burns, 55, of Sparks, “sextorted” numerous minors online on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat, according to court documents presented in court between 2018 and 2021.

According to the US Department of Justice, he abused over 100 children.

He was reported to the police when the mother of one of the victims saw threatening messages on the victim’s phone.

Burns was ordered to pay more than $82,000 in restitution, in addition to $21,000 in fees under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act.

A federal court jury convicted Burns on March 5 of eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, eight counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count each of advertising, receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.

The jury also found Burns guilty of committing aggravated crimes despite being required to register as a sex offender.