Joshua Eugene Burton, Child Sex Trafficking, Florida 2024

Tampa, Florida – Joshua Eugene Burton, a 34-year-old former U.S. Marine, has pleaded guilty to coercing minors to create sex abuse material.

Burton faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison for his crimes, which involved coercing a 14-year-old individual, known as “Victim 1,” to engage in sexually explicit activity.

According to the plea agreement, Burton engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with Victim 1 while portraying himself as a teenage girl from California named “Becky Smith.” In these conversations, Burton persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced Victim 1 to create and send him sexually explicit images and videos of himself/herself.

Burton also coerced Victim 1 into creating a video of Victim 1 performing oral sex on a 16-year-old individual, known as “Victim 2,” by threatening to publicly post the photos and videos that he had previously received. In order to add more credibility to his threat, Burton specifically referenced the schools that both victims attended.

As a result of his threats, Victim 1 sent Burton multiple sexually explicit images and videos. This case is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of child sex trafficking and the importance of ongoing vigilance in protecting our children.

Burton is a former U.S. Marine who was convicted of possession of child pornography in 2008 during the time he served in the United States Marine Corps. As part of his conviction, Burton was required to register as a sex offender and was dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Candace Garcia Rich.

This case is another example of the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child sex trafficking and protect our children. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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