A Lawrence County man has been arrested and charged with more than one dozen child pornography charges.

According to court records, 69-year-old Robert Burns of Shenango Township is charged with 15 felony counts of child pornography and one additional felony count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Burns was arraigned on this charge on March 14.

According to a criminal complaint, investigators received a cyber tip in August of 2024 alleging that five suspected child pornography files were viewed via an IP address that traced back to Burns.

Investigators say the files depicted children between the ages of three and 13 years old engaged in sexual acts or poses.

A search warrant for Burns' home was granted on March 13 and served the following day. At that time, investigators spoke with Burns who said he's lived alone at the home for three years and that the laptop in the living room belonged to him according to the complaint.

Investigators say Burns went on to say he had a problem with "regular porn" about 10 years ago, but tries to avoid it now. Burns allegedly admitted to investigators that he saw child pornography but said it was a "pop up."

According to the complaint, Burns went on to tell investigators he will search for "porn" on browsers and come across child pornography, but said he tries not to look at it and will delete it.

Investigators say Burns admitted that the last time he saw child pornography was about a week ago, but then said two weeks ago. He allegedly told investigators that he has "an inner desire that must be quenched."

Investigators quoted Burns as saying he looks at child porn because he likes to see "the development of kids [and] how they grow and mature" and that they "start out so gentle and pure" and then become a "beautiful young woman."

According to the complaint, Burns told investigators he understood it was wrong to look at those images, but said seeing females develop even from a young age was a "turn on" to him.

Investigators say a search of Burns' laptop revealed 15 child pornography files.

Court records show Burns is due back in court for a preliminary hearing March 20.