Norfolk sailor sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually exploiting a minor

NORFOLK, Va. - Bailey Dwayne Burnett, 26, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor.

According to court documents, in January 2023, Burnett, who was an active-duty U.S. Navy sailor stationed in Norfolk, began communicating with fellow sailor Zhane Tavern Elamin. Burnett exchanged multiple image and video files of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) with Elamin and discussed methods to engage minors.

On Aug. 20, 2025, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service seized Burnett's cellphone. During a forensic examination, investigators identified 69 images of CSAM and numerous platforms and accounts, including two for file sharing service Mega NZ. Burnett's Mega accounts contained 3,692 images and videos of CSAM, including the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

Investigators also identified communications between Burnett and a 14-year-old victim from Italy who moved to the United States. Using Facetime, imessage, and Dischord, Burnett coerced the victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Bailey sent the victim sexually explicit photos and videos of himself and received sexually explicit photos and videos of the victim.

Burnett was separated from the Navy in December 2025 as a result of his conduct.

Elamin pled guilty on June 12, 2024, to the attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. On Oct. 21, 2024, Elamin was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case Nos. 2:25-cr-110 (Burnett) and 24-cr-33 (Elamin).