Federal agents charge Dubuque County elementary principal with child porn

CEDAR RAPIDS – A Dubuque elementary school principal pleaded not guilty Friday in U.S. District Court for receiving child pornography after agents discovered he downloaded images of minors and admitted to videotaping students in the boy's restroom at school.

Sageville Elementary School Principal Robert Burke, 43, of Dubuque, made an initial appearance Friday and was charged with one count of receiving child pornography. A preliminary hearing and detention hearing is set 10 a.m. Tuesday in federal court.

An FBI agent in Washington D.C. found eight downloaded images of child pornography April 10, which was traced back to Burke's computer at his residence in Dubuque, according to the criminal complaint. The images included 8- and 10-year-old boys.

During a search of his home Friday, authorities seized his computer and other items, according to the complaint. Printed images were also found and some depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Burke, during an interview, admitted he had downloaded the child pornography since January, according to the complaint. He also admitted to placing a hidden video camera in the boy's restroom at Sageville Elementary. Burke said he never touched any of the children in a sexual manner, only produced the video images of students.

The government has no evidence to contradict Burke's denial of touching any children, according to the complaint.

“I'm shaken and I'm sick to my stomach right now,” said Stacy Sabers, a parent of two boys at the school.

“I didn't expect it. Not from someone who is a principal in a school – you think he would be trustworthy… I don't

know what to say.”

Law enforcement hasn't had time to perform a forensic examination of Burke's computer and other electronic equipment seized in the search today, according to the complaint.

If convicted, Burke faces five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Burke was in custody Friday night at the Linn County Jail.

Superintendent Larie Godinez in a statement Friday said Burke has been suspended with pay from his position and further action will be considered based on advice from the district's attorney. The district is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

“I am sure that our Sageville community and greater Dubuque School community have many questions,” Godinez said in the statement. “At this point in time, however, I am not at liberty to discuss any aspects of this federal investigation.”

“I feel sick that he can do something like that in this small community,” said Amy Kammerude, parent of a boy at the school. “You never thought you would see that in Sageville.”

U.S. Attorney Stephanie Rose urged parents and anyone with concerns or information regarding this investigation to call the U.S. Attorney's Office at (319) 363-6333.  Callers should ask to speak with Victim-Witness Coordinator Shari Konarske.

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Robert Burke Complaint Child Porn