Smyrna Man Lands 20 Years for Child Sex Abuse Material, Witness Tampering

NASHVILLE – In a shocking display of depravity, 31-year-old Pierre Burns of Smyrna, Tennessee, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material and witness tampering.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Burns had picked up two runaway minors at a Nashville Waffle House in March 2020. Over the course of several days, he used his phone to photograph and record the minors engaging in sexual acts. The minors were subsequently discovered in Burns’ car during a traffic stop, where explicit images were found on his phone.

Burns’ crimes did not stop there. While awaiting trial, he made a brazen phone call to one of the minors from the jail, in a clear attempt to influence her testimony. This egregious act earned him an additional witness tampering charge.

“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.”

Homeland Security Investigations and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department collaborated to rescue the exploited minors and bring Burns to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison prosecuted the case, bringing the defendant to account for his heinous crimes.

“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.”

Burns’ fate is now sealed, with a 20-year prison sentence and a decade of supervised release ahead of him. The people of Tennessee can rest a little easier knowing that this predator is off the streets.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of child exploitation and the importance of vigilance. As the nation grapples with the complexities of this issue, it is clear that the Justice Department will continue to prioritize the protection of our most vulnerable citizens.