A jury returned a guilty verdict for 56-year-old Cornelius Sylvanus Burnett on child sex offenses to conclude a week-long trial in Burke County Superior Court on Monday, November 10, 2025.
The Honorable Gary Gavenus, Superior Court Judge from Yancey County, imposed an active sentence of 35 to 51 years for Burnett after the jury reached its verdict on charges of statutory sex offense and six counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.
The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
Investigation by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Burnett engaged in sexual acts with the minor victim over a period of time.
The victim reported the acts to a friend, who told a school guidance counselor about the sexual abuse. The Burke County Department of Social Services removed the child from the situation as the investigation unfolded, and the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center conducted a forensic interview of the victim.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center and Burke County Department of Social Service. Assistant District Attorney Jacquelyn Lane prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Brooklyn Byrd.
“The District Attorney’s Office is very appreciative of the collaboration of all agencies and individuals involved, and the hard work put into this case to remove a child predator from society,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Mitch Walker said. “Assistant District Attorney Jacquelyn Lane did an outstanding job preparing and presenting the case to the jury. Thank you to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, the Burke County Children’s Advocacy Center and Burke County DSS.”