Mendocino County Man Sentenced To 10.5 Years In Prison For Attempted Enticement Of A Minor And Distribution Of Child Pornography

SAN FRANCISCO - A Mendocino County resident was sentenced yesterday to 126 months in federal prison for attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and distribution and possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Jaqueline Scott Corley handed down the sentence.

Nathanial Alfonso Burke, 34, of Willits, Calif., was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2024, and pleaded guilty on July 9, 2025, to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. According to the plea agreement, between February 22, 2024, through April 25, 2024, Burke messaged individuals whom he believed to be a father and his 11-year-old daughter, sending sexually explicit messages and child pornography via messaging applications. He eventually arranged a meeting with the father and 11-year-old to engage in sexual acts. Burke was arrested by law enforcement upon his arrival at the meet-up location with condoms in his pocket.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo made the announcement.

Burke has been in custody since April 2024. He will begin serving his prison term immediately. In addition to the prison term, Judge Corley also ordered Burke to serve 15 years of supervised release which will begin after his term of imprisonment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara E. Henderson is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Soana Katoa. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI with assistance from the Willits Police Department and Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.