Peach County man sentenced to 30 years for child molestation, exploitation charges
53-year-old Richard Burke of Peach County pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years for child molestation and sexual exploitation of children.
FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Peach County man has been sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to child molestation and sexual exploitation of children. The first 19 years will be served in prison.
According to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, 53-year-old Richard Burke entered his plea in Peach County Superior Court on Thursday.
The case began November 17, 2023, when Byron Police Department officers responded to a home after a sexual assault was captured on home video surveillance, according to a news release from the office. The child’s mother told officers that Burke, her ex-boyfriend who was living in the home, had been babysitting her four-year-old daughter, who is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum.
Video evidence showed Burke sexually assaulting the child, the DA’s office said. Officers arrested Burke and seized two of his cell phones, where investigators later found explicit photographs of minors.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Taylor Wilson led the prosecution team. Burke pleaded guilty after his case was announced ready for trial earlier in September.
“This 30-year sentence sends a clear message that our office will relentlessly pursue justice for those who prey on children,” District Attorney Anita Howard said. “When someone betrays the trust placed in them to care for a child, especially a vulnerable, non-verbal child with autism, they will face the full consequences of their actions. We will never tolerate such evil in our community. We commend the victim’s mother for her courage in coming forward and the Byron Police Department for their immediate action in protecting this child and ensuring this predator was removed from our streets.”
The DA’s office said the case demonstrates the critical importance of parental awareness in protecting children from predators.
