NEW YORK, NY – Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez has announced that two men, Kal Kirby, 43, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, and Jordan Shephard Burnham, 44, of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, have been arraigned on a 57-count indictment for their alleged involvement in sex trafficking of a 13-year-old girl, along with charges of promoting prostitution, rape, and related offenses.
According to the District Attorney, this disturbing case involves exploiting a vulnerable child for the defendants’ personal gratification. He is committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation and ensuring justice for the victims.
The investigation revealed that the 13-year-old victim began communicating with Kirby on the social networking app “Monkey” and later on Instagram in February 2022. Subsequently, they met in person, and Kirby allegedly sent a cab to pick her up from school and took her to his apartment, where they engaged in sexual activity. They continued to meet weekly until December 2022.
In September 2022, the victim visited Kirby’s apartment and encountered four or five other men, each engaged in sexual activity with her. The victim felt compelled to comply and did not refuse their advances.
The indictment further alleges that Kirby sent explicit photos and videos of the victim to Burnham, who expressed interest. Kirby arranged for Burnham and the victim to engage in sexual activity on multiple occasions, and Burnham allegedly provided her with money and gifts.
The victim eventually disclosed the abuse to her foster mother in late December 2022, leading to police involvement.
Burnham was apprehended in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, on July 20, 2023, and returned to New York on July 28, 2023. He was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo, who set bail at $2 million bond or $1 million cash. The case is scheduled for August 24, 2023.
Conversely, Kirby was arraigned on July 20, 2023, before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson. He was ordered held without bail and is also expected to appear in court on August 24, 2023.
The New York City Police Department’s Human Trafficking Squad, led by Detective Liam O’Hara and supervised by Sergeant Robert Duplessis, Lieutenant Amy Capogna, and Captain Thomas Milano, conducted the investigation.
The prosecution is committed to holding the defendants accountable for their heinous actions and ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in the community.