Child Sex Offender From East Hartford Faces More Charges: Feds

EAST HARTFORD, CT — A former resident of East Hartford has been accused by federal authorities of various child exploitation offenses after images of children being sexually abused were found on his phone.

David X. Sullivan, U.S. attorney for Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New England, announced Monday that Nicholas Burnham, 33, of East Hartford, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in 2016, Burnham was convicted in state court for second-degree possession of child pornography.

Sullivan said his probation for that offense was terminated in 2018 after he was convicted of possession of child pornography in the first degree.

In 2023, Burnham began serving a term of special parole.

On Dec. 17, 2024, believing Burnham was using an unauthorized electronic device, Burnham’s parole officers and the Connecticut State Police searched his residence and seized three cellphones, Sullivan said.

According to authorities, preliminary forensic analysis of the phones revealed more than 2,000 images and videos depicting child sex abuse.

Burnham used Telegram and other encrypted messaging applications to trade child sex abuse material with others, and also accessed numerous webpages to view and download child sex abuse material, Sullivan said.

Burnham has been detained in state custody since Dec. 17, 2024. He made his initial appearance in Hartford federal court on May 30.

The complaint charges Burnham with receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

He is also charged with possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The penalties in this matter are enhanced because of Burnham’s prior state convictions, Sullivan said.

For more information on the case, click on this link.