BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A joint Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Bowling Green investigation has led to the sentencing of a Tompkinsville man to more than a decade in federal prison for attempted online enticement of a minor.
Matthew Warren Burkhard, 36, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for one count of attempted online enticement of a minor.
“HSI, in collaboration with our partners, is resolutely committed to protecting our children. We have a moral responsibility,” stated Homeland Security Investigations Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud. “We will persist in combating child exploitation through vigilant efforts, compassion for victims and an unwavering dedication to holding predators accountable.”
According to court documents, Burkhard communicated with an undercover law enforcement agent he believed to be a 14-year-old female, and during those communications, he knowingly attempted to entice the girl to engage in criminal sexual activity by exchanging sexually explicit images and making plans to meet in person for sexual contact.
“I commend the work of AUSA Rabold during the prosecution of this case as well as the outstanding investigative effort by the Secret Service and HSI,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky Michael A. Bennett. “Removing would be predators from our communities is key to keeping them safe for our most vulnerable citizens.”
This case was investigated by HSI Bowling Green and U.S. Secret Service.
Saoud, Bennett, and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Robert Holman made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Nicholas Rabold, of the Bowling Green branch office, prosecuted the case.
About HSI
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce consists of over 10,000 employees, assigned to 235 offices within the United States and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI's international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.