NASHVILLE – Pierre Burns, 31, of Smyrna, Tennessee, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. A federal jury previously convicted him of two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of witness tampering for producing sexually explicit images of two minors and then calling one of the minors from jail to influence her trial testimony.
According to the evidence at trial, in March 2020, Burns picked up two runaway minors at a Nashville Waffle House. Over the next several days, he used his phone to photograph and record the minors engaging in sexual acts. Following a traffic stop, these sexually explicit images were discovered on Burns’ phone. One of the minors depicted in the images was in the car with Burns during that traffic stop.
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While awaiting trial on child exploitation charges, Burns called one of the minors from jail in an attempt to influence her testimony. Subsequently, he was charged with witness tampering in a superseding indictment.
“Protecting minors from exploitation continues to be one of the Justice Department’s top priorities,” said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. “Today’s sentence, and the excellent investigative and trial work that preceded it, will ensure that this defendant will not get anywhere near children for the next two decades.”
“This sentencing is a result of cooperation between HSI and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to rescue children being sexually exploited,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud. “Our investigators work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to deliver justice to those who engage in the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material.”
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison prosecuted the case.
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Man Arrested for Robbery and Arson in Nashville
Pardrae Gooch, 37, has been arrested for the May 29 robbery and arson at S Fashion clothing store in Nashville, where the female clerk was badly beaten, her car stolen, and the business set on fire. Gooch, who was free on bond for previous domestic violence arrests, is now charged with especially aggravated robbery, theft of a vehicle, aggravated arson, and vandalism. He is being held on a $259,000 bond.