Case: 24-3431020, 24-3400906, 24-5028731
 
Date: November & December 2024
 
Time: Varied
 
Locations: Austin/Travis County & Hays County  
 
Arrested: Keshawn French-Burton, Black male, 20 years of age

The Austin Police Department (APD) Child Abuse Unit has arrested Keshawn French-Burton 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. Mr. 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. These charges stem from multiple incidents involving at least three separate victims. Our investigations determined that Mr. French-Burton used a variety of names and different social media handles to contact his victims. In several instances, Mr. French-Burton misrepresented his age to the survivors and presented himself as someone younger than he was.
 
Information gathered in our investigations suggests that French-Burton contacted other underage children via 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. The APD and Austin Public Health (APH) are coordinating to provide contact tracing on any sexually transmitted infections that came as a result of this suspect's actions.
 
We understand that survivors of sexual abuse may not wish to report to law enforcement. We respect and support you in that decision. However, if you have been assaulted by Keshawn French-Burton and do wish to report, please know the Austin Police Department Child Abuse Unit is here to assist you. To report your sexual abuse or if you have information about these incidents, please call the APD Child Abuse tip line at (512) 974-6880, Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or use the new Crime Stoppers App.
 
If you do not wish to report to law enforcement, we do encourage you to contact the Austin Health Department at 512-972-5430 or schedule an appointment online at www.austintexas.gov/department/sexual-health-clinic. Additionally, APD Victim Services counselors are available and can be reached by calling (512) 974-5037.