Burke County Man Convicted Of Child-Sex Crimes

A Burke County man will serve more than 30 years in prison in a case involving sex offenses with a child. A jury returned a guilty verdict for 56-year-old Cornelius Sylvanus Burnett of Connelly Springs to conclude a week-long trial in Burke County Superior Court. The verdict was returned Monday (November 10).

The Honorable Gary Gavenus, Superior Court Judge from Yancey County, imposed an active sentence of 35 to 51 years for Burnett after the jury reached its verdict on charges of statutory sex offense and six counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.

Investigation by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Burnett engaged in sexual acts with the minor victim over a period of time. The victim reported the acts to a friend, who told a school guidance counselor about the sexual abuse. The Burke County Department of Social Services removed the child from the situation as the investigation unfolded, and the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center conducted a forensic interview of the victim.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center and Burke County Department of Social Services.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY