by NEW ORLEANS, LA – A disgraced former police detective once hailed for prosecuting child sex crimes — before being exposed as a molester himself — is back behind bars after allegedly violating sex offender restrictions tied to his 2019 social media activity.
Arrest and Current Allegations
Stanley Burkhardt, 74, was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail on July 15 on allegations that he improperly used social media to leave suggestive comments under young men’s photos in 2019. Court documents allege that his actions violated sex offender laws and conditions from a previous release.
These charges stem from a case left unresolved when Burkhardt entered intensive treatment at a federal facility in Butner, North Carolina, designated for individuals deemed “sexually dangerous.” He was released in August 2024 under strict conditions, including bans on unapproved social media use.
Prior Convictions and Troubled Career
Once celebrated as a child abuse investigator in the 1970s and 1980s, Burkhardt’s career collapsed after he was convicted of mailing child sexual abuse imagery to undercover agents.
According to The Guardian, He later admitted to molesting a nine-year-old girl related to him by marriage and faced multiple prosecutions for possessing and distributing child exploitation materials.
Federal prosecutors successfully argued in 2011 that Burkhardt met the criteria for lifelong confinement under laws for “sexually dangerous” individuals, sending him to Butner for years of treatment. However, after partial rehabilitation claims, he was conditionally released.
Alleged Parole Violations
According to Louisiana State Police, Burkhardt created an unapproved account on a photo-sharing platform with the password “boyz4me!” and communicated with addresses labeled “boys6to12” and “lovelyyoungpp.” Investigators also allege he removed the sex offender designation from his driver’s license while applying for work at a New Orleans casino — another violation.
These violations led to the revival of his unresolved 2019 charges, including:
- One count of improper use or access of social media by a sex offender
- Two counts of failing to provide required sex offender registration information
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Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison under Louisiana law.
Links to Unsolved Crimes and Media Attention
Burkhardt has long been a subject of public suspicion, with the investigative podcast New Orleans Unsolved exploring his possible connection to several unsolved teen deaths in the city. These include the strangulation of three teenagers and a drowning case he allegedly claimed responsibility for — accusations he has denied in court.
Podcast host Anna Christie revealed that after his 2024 release, an account believed to be Burkhardt’s “liked” videos related to episodes about him. She said the account’s name referenced obscure details only Burkhardt would know.
Current Legal Status
Burkhardt appeared in Orleans Parish Criminal Court wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles on Tuesday. Judge Rhonda Goode-Douglas is set to consider his bond status on August 19. For now, he is being held without bond and is no longer employed at the grocery store where he had been working.
His attorney, public defender Tessa Silverman, has declined public comment. Burkhardt has pleaded not guilty to the new charges.
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