Former Eustace officer gets 20 years for child porn

HENDERSON COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a former Eustace police officer was sentenced on Thursday to 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography in the 392nd District Court. Mitchell Burris was arrested in January on four counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography. The arrest came after authorities obtained three videos reportedly depicting minors engaging in sexual conduct.

In December 2024, investigators examined the items collected during the search warrant, where they reportedly found screenshots of several videos of infants and young child pornography. Investigators contacted Eustace Mayor Dustin Shelton, who reportedly identified the man as Burris.

“While looking through the content folder, [the investigator] observed a photo of a white male’s face sitting inside a car. The background of this photo appears to be a police car,” the affidavit stated. “While looking through the folder, there was another image of the same male, in the suspected police car from a different angle.”

After pleading guilty, Burris was sentenced on Thursday to 20 years in prison and was charged with possession with intent to promote child pornography. Burris will also be forced to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

Henderson District Attorney Jenny Palmer explained why Burris received the maximum sentence. “The defendant took an oath to protect and serve our community,” Palmer said. “It’s time now that we protect our community from him, and sentence him to the full 20 years.”