AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Police are searching for additional victims of an alleged child sex predator. Anyone who had online or physical contact with 20-year-old Keshawn French-Burton is asked to report the incident to police.
French-Burton is facing charges in Austin and Hays County for the sexual assault or abuse of at least three underage girls who range in age from 12 to 17. Police say he allegedly contacted the girls using Instagram and Snapchat this past November and December.
“Our investigation determined that Mr. French-Burton used a variety of names and different social media handles to contact his victims. In several instances he misrepresented his age to survivors and presented himself as someone younger than he actually was,” said Detective Chad Honaker with the Austin Police Department.
The Austin Police Department (APD) Child Abuse Unit says Keshawn French-Burton was arrested on one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, a 1st Degree felony, and three counts of Sexual Assault of a Child, a 2nd Degree Felony.
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French-Burton has also been charged by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office on one count of Sexual Assault of a Child, a 2nd Degree felony.
APD detectives allege the 20-year-old also contacted several other underage children through social media with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
“Given this information, we believe there may be additional survivors who may have been assaulted by Mr. French-Burton,” said Honaker.
APD and Austin Public Health are asking anyone else who might have had physical contact with Keshawn French-Burton to report the incident to police and be tested for a sexually transmitted infection as soon as possible.
“Austin Public Health is actively coordinating efforts with APD to provide contact tracing for any sexually transmitted infections that may have resulted from this suspect’s actions,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Medical Director for Austin Public Health.
Dr. Walkes says she understands some survivors of sexual abuse might not want to report to police but is encouraging them to get tested and treated for STIs.
“STIs are a serious public health concern and early detection is critical,” said Dr. Walkes.
Detectives with the APD Child Abuse Unit say their focus now is finding any other possible victims.
“I can’t place a number on the total of how many people he was speaking with. I can just say that it’s several at this point,” said Honaker.
Anyone with information about Keshawn French-Burton is asked to call the APD Child Abuse Tip Line at (512) 974-6880, Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS, or use the new Crime Stoppers App.
