A new charge has been filed against former Carrboro Boy Scout Troop Assistance Scout Master Brian Burnham.

The 36-year-old Former Boy Scout Troop 845 Assistant Scout Master Brian Burnham appeared in federal court in Durham, earlier this month.

A new charge was released from the grand jury just this week. Burnham now faces a count of knowingly distributing and attempting to distribute child pornography by mail, shipping, and transporting child pornography “using any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce.”

Burnham had previously been charged with knowingly receiving child pornography from at least early 2009 through November 2014, according to court documents.

The investigation began in November 2014 with a cybertip from The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

In the search warrant, an investigator swore that Burnham has not spoken face to face with juveniles about sexual topics: adding that Burnham only talks to the juveniles about these topics via the internet and cell phone.

Burnham’s defense attorneys argue that, however inappropriate some of those messages may be, the ones quoted do not support any inference that Burnham may have committed any sexual crimes against the minor males or attempted to entice any of the minor males to do so.

Burnham was released from prison under a $50,000 secured bond, under the conditions put forward in the court, including that Burnham would reside with his mother in Matthews. He also submitted to electronic monitoring, he shall have no contact with the victim or any minor child under the age of 18, unless in the presence of his guardian. Burnham is also ordered to not possess or use a computer, or any other means, to access any “on-line computer service,” or possess or cell phones or other electronic devices.

Defense attorneys filed 33 character testimonies from citizens who wrote in attesting to the character of Mr. Burnham.

He is due back in court next week for arraignment.

Related Stories
‹
Carrboro Assistant Boy Scout Master Pleads Not Guilty
Brian Burnham entered a plea of not guilty to all charges, on Tuesday morning, during his arraignment hearing on child pornography charges. Burnham, the 36-year-old former Assistant Scout Master with Boy Scout Troop 845 based out of Carrboro, appeared in federal court in Greensboro facing charges of knowingly receiving child pornography and knowingly distributing and […]
Local Scholar Amanda Bennett Named Town of Carrboro's 9th Poet Laureate
The Town of Carrboro has selected Amanda Bennett to be its ninth poet laureate. Described as “a poet, cultural critic, and public humanities practitioner,” in a release, Bennett will be the first Black woman to serve as the town’s poet laureate. Bennett is a scholar of Black feminism and is the author of “Working the […]
Orange County Communities to Interrupt Services for December Holidays (2025)
Communities around Orange County will interrupt their normal service schedules during the upcoming winter holidays. Here’s what customers can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Town of Chapel Hill government offices will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26. Residential trash collection will not be affected. Yard trimmings will not be collected on […]
Top Stories of 2025: Flash Flooding From Tropical Storm Chantal Damages Region, Changes Lives
Perhaps no singular event influenced the Orange County community's experience in 2025 more than Tropical Storm Chantal's floods in July.
'So Much Fun': Community's First 'Cardboard War' Brings Out Creativity and Whimsy
The Carrboro Town Commons was the site of a "cardboard war" on Saturday, which was created to spur whimsy and creativity among the community.
Arts in Uncertain Times - Dec. 12, 2025
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey speaks with North Carolina Poet Laureate Jakie Shelton Green, Carrboro Town Council Member Fred Joiner, and Executive Director of Orange County Arts Katie Murray on Friday, December 12. They discuss the challenges facing the arts community both generally and locally. They also discuss the role of arts in times of political division. They discuss the economic, social, and personal impact of having art in non-traditional spaces. They look ahead to 2026, and more.
Checking the Area Housing Inventory - Dec. 11, 2025
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey speaks with Vice President of Advocacy for the Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro Ian Scott, Policy Director for Carolina Forward and Chapel Hill Town Council Member Theodore Nollert, and President of the Orange and Chatham County Association of Realters Randy Voller. They discussed the current housing inventory in the Chapel Hill area, including how much and what type of housing is still missing, and what tools the community has to encourage more housing. They also discussed what they hope to see different in the area's housing market in 2026, and more.
Carrboro: Council Meeting, Holiday Events, Braxton Foushee Day of Service
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, December 5, discussing town news and events. She outlined the most recent Carrboro Town Council meeting in which the council chose a new Mayor Pro Tem, had a resolution recognizing outgoing council member Randi Haven-O'Donnell, and swore in newly elected members. She also talked about the Carrboro tree lighting this weekend, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade, and more.
'Who Are We Targeting?': Unpacking and Examining Impacts of ICE's N.C. Operations
The Orange County community felt the impact of federal immigration officers’ presence. Weeks later, people are still unpacking their emotions.
Rep. Allen Buansi Seeks Third Term in N.C. House to Represent Chapel Hill, Carrboro
North Carolina District 56 Rep. Allen Buansi is seeking a third full term in the state house, announcing he will run for re-election in 2026. 
›