July 14, 2023 - San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that in July 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Crimes Against Children Detail (CAC), and the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force participated in Operation Online Guardian. The operation’s objective was to combat online child sexual predators.

On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, CAC investigators and parole agents from the California Department of Corrections continued an ongoing investigation into the possession of child pornography. During the investigation, it was discovered that Nicholas Burstein communicated with an unidentified 16-year-old female victim via the internet. Burstein shared obscene material and received sexually explicit photographs from the victim. Investigators successfully identified the victim and determined she resided out of state while communicating with Burstein. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, Burstein was arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, in lieu of $1,000,000 bail. Burstein has previous child sex crime convictions and is a registered sex offender on active parole.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are releasing Burstein’s photograph.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Wendy Winegar of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail, at (909) 890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.    

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, July 12, 2023

INCIDENT: PC 311.11(a) Possession of Child Pornography, PC 311.11(b) Possession of Child Pornography with Prior Sex Crime Convictions, PC 288.2(a)(1) Sending Obscene Matter to a Minor, PC 288.3 Contacting a Minor to Commit a Felony

LOCATION: City of Hesperia

VICTIM: Confidential Juvenile

SUSPECT: Nicholas Gary Burstein, 38-years-old, Resident of Hesperia

Refer: Detective Wendy Winegar

Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children Detail

Phone No.  (909) 890-4904

Case No. 602300042

Source & photo: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department