Tallahassee Sun

Shawn Lei Burge, 50, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor for sexual activity and possession of child pornography. The sentencing was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”

In July 2023, a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), working undercover, encountered Burge in a social media chat group focused on child pornography. During their conversations, Burge requested videos or photographs depicting girls younger than 15 years old. Over a week-long period, Burge communicated privately with the undercover agent about an invented girlfriend’s fictitious 11-year-old daughter. He requested photos of this fictitious girl and expressed his desire to meet her in person for sexual activity.

“Child predators use the pseudo-anonymity of the internet to locate those who would help them feed their perversion of molesting children,” said HSI Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “This more than a decade sentencing is yet another example of the unwavering dedication and commitment of HSI special agents and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, alongside our law enforcement partners with Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office, to bring to justice those who prey upon our children.”

On August 6, 2023, Burge traveled to an agreed-upon location intending to engage in sexual activity with what he believed was an 11-year-old child but was instead arrested by law enforcement officers. A search revealed that his cell phone contained a video shared during previous group chats involving child pornography. Further investigation uncovered an additional 14 photos and videos depicting children being sexually abused.

Burge's prison term will be followed by twelve years of supervised release; he will also be required to register as a sex offender and comply with all related conditions. The court ordered forfeiture of his cell phone used during these offenses.

The conviction resulted from joint efforts by several agencies including the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations as part of a broader undercover operation involving the Tallahassee Police Department and Florida Department of Law Enforcement, assisted by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted this case.

This case aligns with Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse online through collaboration between federal, state, and local resources.

For further information about Project Safe Childhood visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov or for details regarding public court documents from this case visit U.S District Court for Northern District Florida website at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.