“Two Googly Eyes”

Summary

Podcast Summary: “Two Googly Eyes”

Podcast: Have A Seat with Chris Hansen
Host: Chris Hansen
Episode Date: July 13, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Have A Seat with Chris Hansen features a deep dive into a sting operation in Dickinson County, Michigan, targeting Kelsey Burbank, a 29-year-old man caught attempting to meet a 15-year-old boy for sex after explicit online conversations. Through detailed chat transcripts and an in-person confrontation, Hansen exposes the predatory behaviors, self-justification, and consequences facing Burbank, while drawing broader lessons about online exploitation and criminal rationalizations.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Profile of the Predator: Kelsey Burbank

• Background: Kelsey Burbank, 29, local resident of northern Michigan, worked coordinating Walmart online orders ([04:19]).
• Online Alias: Used a screen name with two googly eyes on Grindr.
• Initial Claim: Told the decoy (a law enforcement undersheriff posing as a 15-year-old boy) he was looking “for friends,” a common rationalization among caught predators ([01:33]).

2. The Sting Operation Setup & Chats

• Platform: Grindr was used as the meeting site for the decoy and Burbank ([03:30]).
• Interaction Tone: Burbank acknowledged the decoy’s age several times but continued with the sexually explicit conversation, requesting shirtless and nude photos ([05:28],[05:54]).
• Explicit Intentions: Discussion revolved around experimenting sexually, explicit photo requests, and preparation for the meetup (lube, safety, and consent) ([06:28]-[08:12]). Burbank displayed anxiety, seeking reassurance from the decoy, but persisted in arranging a meeting.

3. The Meet and the Confrontation

• Arrival: Burbank drove to the provided address, only 10 minutes away ([08:46]).
• House Entry: Was greeted by the on-site decoy—a nervous law enforcement deputy ([09:53]).
• Notable Interactions:
  • Burbank discusses “taking it slow,” presenting himself as not aggressive—framing himself as a "big brother" who would show care compared to other, allegedly more predatory adults on Grindr ([13:59], [14:12]).
  • Despite the veneer of caution, Burbank quickly agrees to enter the decoy’s bedroom to "take clothes off" ([13:45], [13:54]).
  • As the decoy steps away for a vape (the signal for police), Burbank is secured by deputies ([14:29]).

4. Chris Hansen’s Interview and Predator Rationalizations

Key Confrontation Segments:

• [15:07] - Hansen interviews Burbank, who immediately labels himself as “stupid” for what he did.
• [15:36] - Discussion about Grindr as a “hookup platform,” Burbank rationalizes that many older men are "ravagers" and overly aggressive, suggesting he was somehow safer or more considerate for a 15-year-old.
• [16:36] - “Basically what Kelsey is trying to explain to me is that it’s better off for a 15-year-old boy to meet him than somebody who’s even older, who would be even more aggressive. I’m not sure I understand that logic.” — Chris Hansen
• [17:10] - Burbank admits knowing the boy is 15, offering a string of excuses: stress from his grandmother's illness, lack of friends, and feelings of social alienation ([18:40]).
• [19:50] - Hansen challenges Burbank: “You talked about sex. You talked about lube.”
• [20:03] - Burbank tries to minimize intent, arguing that he only wanted to proceed if the decoy was comfortable, overlooking the illegality and trauma.

5. Reflections on Consequences and Accountability

• Emotional Fallout: Hansen emphasizes the "ripple effect"—the trauma to the victim, the criminal’s family, and broader community, questioning how Burbank’s arrest impacts his role as a groomsman in a friend’s wedding ([25:19]-[26:25]).
• Predator Desensitization:
  • “They get so desensitized by these platforms… they blur the lines of what is acceptable under the law. They’re looking to… catch a quick nut… and they start to think of this as something so casual, even in the case where they’re meeting somebody who’s underage. And it’s not casual, it’s criminal.” ([26:25]-[27:20])

6. Legal Resolution & Aftermath

• Outcome:
  • Burbank pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, after which he’ll be a registered sex offender ([32:59]).
  • TruthFinder background checks confirmed this was his first serious legal issue ([34:12]).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Predator Rationalization:

  “Basically what Kelsey is trying to explain to me is that it’s better off for a 15-year-old boy to meet him than somebody who’s even older, who would be even more aggressive. I’m not sure I understand that logic.”
  — Chris Hansen ([16:36])

• On Impact:

  “The consequences of an adult your age sexually exploiting a child are long lasting. They can affect the psyche of a child for the rest of their lives.”
  — Chris Hansen ([26:25])

• On Self-Justification:

  “I just don’t want to go to… I really don’t want to be [in trouble].”
  — Kelsey Burbank ([30:53])

• On Actions vs Excuses:

  “But remember just a few moments ago, he was trying to hustle the boy into the bedroom and get naked… He didn’t have any reservations about that.”
  — Chris Hansen ([19:17])

---

Important Timestamps

• [03:30] — Introduction of Kelsey Burbank by law enforcement and early chat logs
• [05:28] — Escalation to sexually explicit image requests
• [08:46] — Burbank arrives at the Sting house
• [13:54] — Burbank verbalizes intent: "Go to the bedroom, take our clothes off"
• [15:07] — Start of Chris Hansen’s direct confrontation and interview
• [18:40] — Burbank’s excuse: stress and family illness
• [22:37] — Hansen addresses the consequences for child victims
• [25:19] — Burbank admits missing friend’s wedding due to arrest
• [32:59] — Legal outcome: guilty plea, prison sentence, sex offender status
• [34:12] — TruthFinder background check
• [35:51] — Listener question addressed: Chris’s approach to suspects after police custody

---

Listener Mail & Chris Hansen’s Approach

• Listener Question (Matt from Boca Raton):
  • Why does Hansen greet apprehended suspects with “Hey, how you doing?”—is it perfunctory or intentional?
  • Hansen explains his adaptiveness, using greetings to start dialogue depending on the situation ([37:48]).

---

Summary

In “Two Googly Eyes,” Chris Hansen meticulously exposes the mindset and maneuvers of Kelsey Burbank, a predator ensnared in an online sting operation. Through detailed chat log analysis, live confrontation, and in-depth questioning, the episode unpacks the familiar rationalizations that sexual predators use to victimize children, rebuffing these with unflinching reminders of the law and morality. The episode concludes with a sober reflection on consequences, both personal and communal, and the necessity of ongoing efforts to combat online predation.

---

For more resources, visit the official fan Wiki and TruthFinder.com. Have a question or case suggestion? Email Chris at [e-mail].

Transcript

[A]

And we're live from the living room as Doug eyes up the match. Say spread. He's reaching for the buffalo wing. Perfect. Hang on. What's this? Oh, he's gone for a can of Pepsi too. Incredible. What a finish. Sensational combination. Look at the delight on his face. There's no doubt about it. It just tastes better. Match days deserve Pepsi. Food deserves Pepsi. Grab a pack of Pepsi. Zero sugar for today's match. It's poetry in motion.

[B]

I've confronted hundreds of men over two decades, men online looking for children to sexually assault Cody. I'm Chris Hansen.

[C]

I know who you are.

[B]

I tried to get into their heads and understand why. But you have it on your phone.

[D]

That's true.

[B]

And ultimately make sure they face justice. Can I just give you some money and leave? I don't want money. I want the truth. These are the predators I've caught. I'm Chris Hansen. Everybody's looking for friends. Well, maybe not everybody. I have a friend who jokes and says she's got all the friends she needs. If somebody dies or moves away, she'll give you a call. She's all set with friends. But a lot of the people I meet, a lot of the men we catch, a lot of the predators I've caught, tell me they're just looking for friends. Be that as it may, they're looking for friends in all the wrong places. They're looking for friends or they're finding friends who are much too young for them. They are saying things to friends who are much too young for them that are inappropriate in the best case scenario and quite often illegal. And that is why they are given the address to our Stenhouse. And it is why they come face to face with me. One of those men is 29 year old Kelsey Burbank. Kelsey surfaced during our investigation up in Dickinson County, Michigan. Iron Mountain, Michigan, way up in the Upper Peninsula. It's a great place, picturesque, not the sort of region where you'd expect this kind of crime. Yet we caught seven men in three days. Some drove from Wisconsin, some came from downstate and some came from down the street. Kelsey was someplace in between. I think he lived about 30 minutes away from the Sting house. And while his chat may have started, as he says, because he was looking for friends, it ended with a very graphic conversation with an undersheriff from a nearby county posing as a 15 year old boy. And once you hear the undersheriff relay this conversation to me, I think you'll agree that Kelsey ultimately deserves to meet the kind of friends he's going to meet in prison. Take a listen. What do we know about this particular guy?

[C]

So we don't know a lot. We met him on Grindr. His name has two googly eyes and he says he's 29 year old male.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And who does he think he's talking to?

[C]

He thinks he's talking to a 15 year old male. Tried to switch him over to chat. He said that he doesn't give his phone number out. When I did that he was questioning me about the phone number because it's a Pennsylvania phone number. Just had to explain that I'm not here. I explained that my mom watches my phone. So I don't like to put a lot on here as far as pictures. Told him this place is boring. He said hookups are are the only thing to do around here. I said, okay, are you 29? He says. I said I'm open to experimenting. He said, yeah, you're 19. I said, no, I'm a bit younger but mature. Looking for a good time is what he said. I said, I'd love that. You're cool new being 15. I want to learn if you'll teach me 15.

[B]

I want to learn if you'll teach me now. Kelsey Burbank, who goes by the screen name that's a graphic of two googly eyes on the platform. Grindr hookup platform works for Walmart. He coordinates online orders and deliveries. Big business in northern Michigan. But today he's got a different delivery planned. And he acknowledges the decoy's age on a number of occasions. Wishes he didn't know that, but he's excited. It seems to experiment, to prey upon and to potentially assault a 15 year old boy. Because remember, even if the boy says yes, he's still underage. He's not old enough to give consent in this scenario.

[C]

He said, I wish you would have just left it out. You're being a bit younger but not immature. I think you got to send me more pics.

[B]

He wants more pictured to make sure he's talking to the real person.

[C]

I told him that I don't want to be want him to be mad at me. I apologized, sent him a picture. He said now I know your age. I've got a. I would have preferred not to have known your age. I apologized. He said, you got something you could with your can send me or I or get back to him about with a shirless nude.

[B]

And now the face picture isn't enough for Kelsey. He wants a picture that also shows his penis. He uses a Different word.

[C]

So I sent him a picture of a shirtless, shirtless guy.

[B]

But the undersherif posing as the boy does send a photo of a shirtless teen. That seems to do it for Kelsey.

[C]

He's got some housework to do. So that was about 2:30 ish, 2:40. And then he hit me back up at 4:30, asked me where I live.

[B]

This conversation goes on for more than two hours.

[C]

So he's all done doing what he's got to do. I asked him if he was still mad. He said he's good. He just wants to know that he can trust me. I asked him what he's into. He said he's really open to trying anything. He asked me what I want to try. I told him whatever his favorite is so I can learn to make him happy.

[B]

That's right. The decoy tells Kelsey he wants to learn and make the 29 year old happy. And as we see in a lot of these predator investigations, the adult the predator asks the child about their interest in porn.

[C]

He said, I'd rather help you learn whatever you want. He asked me if I watch porn. He asked me what interests me. I told him I'm new and I'm open to a lot. He asked me for my address, said we can talk first, take a slow ease into whatever. Told him I'm watching porn. So ask him if he could bring lube. He said he the kind of lube that he has isn't great. Spit has always worked for him.

[B]

And then there's a discussion about lube. He says he doesn't have the right kind, the kind he likes. He says saliva works for him.

[C]

He said he the kind of lube that he has isn't great. Spit has always worked for him. But before I come over, you have to be sure that you want this. I said, are you clean or do you want a condom? I said, I want this. He said he's clean. Yes. And I asked him if he can bring drinks or the bad lube just in case. He said he doesn't do drinking and he doesn't know about the lube. It's really not good. It gets sticky fast and dries fast just to make sure you fully want this before slightly, not a bit sure. Then he doesn't want to come over.

[B]

Kelsey is anxious, he's nervous. He's telling the boy that he wants to make sure the boy is all on board that he wants this again. He's not old enough to consent to any of it, so it doesn't matter. He's just trying to justify a criminal act in his own mind.

[C]

Said, I'm sure. He said, okay, all I need is an address. I just gave him the address. She said, all right, hold on, let me look it up. On three miles. It says three miles away. Looks like 10 minute drive. That's at 5:26. Okay.

[B]

It turns out that Kelsey is even closer than we had earlier thought. It's a 10 minute drive, three miles away. And what's the very last thing he said?

[C]

That was? That was it? Yeah, yeah.

[B]

So he's got the address. He's ten minutes away. Yeah. And we think at this point that he's coming.

[C]

We hope so. Yeah. Yeah, it seems like it. Okay. All right, good. Yep. Fantastic. Thank you.

[B]

After the very detailed and disturbing play by play of the text messages from the undersheriff, we get into our positions. Moments later, the man calls asking if he's at the right house. Kelsey Burbank heads right over. We see a vehicle on the street in front of the house. And then we receive a phone call from Kelsey.

[E]

Hello.

[F]

Hi. This we're talking to on Grindr.

[B]

Yeah.

[F]

Okay.

[B]

Are you coming? Right?

[F]

Yeah, Think I'm in front of your house.

[B]

I think there's like a basketball hoop by the garage.

[F]

Oh, okay.

[D]

Yep.

[F]

This is it then.

[B]

Okay, I'll meet you at the front door. The on site decoy, a youngish deputy poising as the 15 year old boy goes to the front door to let Kelsey in. He's nervous. All right, more about this predator I've caught in a moment. I've been investigating and pursuing criminals and predators for more than four decades now. But there's a type of predator who's looking to make you a victim. And you may never see it coming. And if you're a homeowner in America, you need to listen to this. The FBI has been warning about a type of real estate fraud on the rise called title theft. And your equity is the target. Here's how it works. Criminals forge your signature on a single document, use a fake notary stamp, and file it with the county. And just like that, on record, they own your home. Using your ownership, they can take out loans against your equity or even sell your property out from under you. And you don't know about it until foreclosure or collection notices show up in the mail. That's why I've partnered with Home Title Lock, so you can protect your equity. And find out today if you're already a victim, use my promo code. Hansen. H A N S E [e-mail] and you'll get a free title history report and a free trial of their million dollar triple lock protection. That's 24. 7 monitoring of your title records, urgent alerts to any changes and if fraud occurs, their US based restoration team will spend up to $1 million to fix it. That's $1 million to fix it. Don't be a victim. Protect your Equity today. That's hometitleog.com promo code HANSEN H A N S E N Or use the link below.

[G]

It's finally here.

[B]

Oh my God.

[G]

The official Chris Hansen merch store. Now you can join the mission with official Chris Hansen merchandise. Hoodies, tees, mugs, stickers and more. Shop the full [e-mail] hi, Ryan Reynolds

[E]

here for Mint Mobile. Are you looking for a beach read this summer? May I suggest your big wireless bill? It's got suspension, suspense, mystery, a slightly flat emotional arc, and a shocking twist where you realize you've been overpaying the entire time. Fortunately though, Mint's story is better. Every plan, $15 a month. Even unlimited. That's it. Happy ending, zero tears. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment

[G]

$45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for a 12 month plan. Required $15 per month equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes. May slow when network is busy. See terms.

[F]

Yeah, it's pretty nice.

[B]

Kelsey is impressed with our Sting house. It is in a nice neighborhood and it's nicely furnished. He doesn't bring anything to drink and as far as we know, he didn't bring any looting. See him? This is nice out here. Wow. He's making small talk. So I don't know.

[C]

It's weird.

[B]

So let's get that one.

[F]

I mean, whatever you're comfortable with, honestly.

[B]

The outside decoy asks Kelsey Burbank what's going to happen. He's acting like he's a nice guy. They'll take it slow. Unlike other people on the Internet who try to force the boys as Kelsey into doing something aggressive, punishing. Well, what do you want to start with?

[F]

I mean, your bedroom. Try taking clothes off. Whatever. You know, take it slow, whatever.

[B]

Oh, he's got a plan. All right. Go to the bedroom. Take our clothes off.

[F]

I don't want to go pushing you. I'm. I'm not a fishy person. Most people would probably force you to a lot more really quickly. And that's not how I.

[B]

So he's going to be the big brother Predator. Gonna take it slow, not gonna force him into anything. A mentor.

[C]

Yes.

[F]

As long as you're absolutely sure.

[B]

At this point, the on site decoy excuses himself to get a vape. And that's the signal for deputies to secure the situation, Kelsey included. So I could have my interview.

[F]

You want to show me your room?

[B]

And literally, as the deputies are walking into the living room to secure Kelsey, he's still talking about wanting to go to the boys room. Check it out. That's not going to happen.

[F]

Okay, fine.

[B]

And now it's time for me to have a little chat with Kelsey. So what's your name?

[F]

Kelsey.

[B]

Kelsey. Kelsey, how old are you?

[F]

29.

[B]

29. And tell me how you ended up here tonight. What happened? Grindr. And what is it about Grindr that makes so many guys move so quickly? I mean, is it just designed for this quick sort of hookup type thing?

[F]

I think that's what Grindr is, to be honest.

[B]

Right. I start out by asking Kelsey about Grindr, which is the platform where he met this 15 year old.

[F]

I stupid. I did it.

[B]

Why do you think you're kind of stupid? You did it. He immediately cops out to being stupid

[F]

because he's younger, I'm older. Problem is, I know how Grindr works. Grindr, I've met with a lot of older guys and they are honestly ravages.

[B]

Ravages in what way?

[F]

They're very forceful on things.

[B]

Right.

[F]

Which I don't.

[B]

They're aggressive sexually.

[F]

Yes. And I, I don't like that kind of thing with people. And when anybody, even if they're 19, 20, 21, and they're like, hey, I, I'm new, I don't. Whatever, it's like, okay, well, I would maybe rather need than somebody else.

[B]

Basically what Kelsey is trying to explain to me is that it's better off for a 15 year old boy to meet him than somebody who's even older, who would be even more aggressive. I'm not sure I understand that logic. Because you're not gonna be as aggressive as another man might be with a boy.

[F]

Well, whoever. Because if they're like, okay, well, I don't feel comfortable with this, then I'm just gonna leave. Because it's not okay if you're not okay.

[B]

Right. And how old is the boy you came here to meet?

[F]

He is like 15.

[B]

15. Now, Kelsey admits that he was coming to meet a 15 year old boy. Says it. A lot of these guys come up with excuses for claim. I was told she or he was 19, 20. And Kelsey was honest about his age. It doesn't make it any less illegal though. And did that give you pause? Did that concern you at 29 years old that you were going to come over and maybe have sex with a 15 year old boy?

[F]

I didn't really want to. It was. What?

[B]

But then there's this excuse and I've heard this a lot. I didn't really want to. He wanted to. Well, he is 15. Kelsey, you are 29. You shouldn't even be chatting with somebody online.

[F]

Like that was what he was gonna whatever do.

[B]

How many fellows do you figure you've hooked up with on Grindr?

[F]

Honestly, I don't know. Today I was stressed. Yesterday I was even more stressed.

[B]

And now the excuse. I asked him how many times he's hooked up with someone on Grindr. He couldn't come up with a number, but explains that he's been under a lot of stress. He was stressful yesterday and even more stressed out today. Well, he's going to be really stressed out in just a few moments.

[F]

No, today I was more stressed because my grandmother is in the hospital, pretty much dying. My mother told me she was non verbal today. So it's just.

[B]

And I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, but I'm lost as the connection between the stress of a ailing grandmother and coming over to have sex with a 15 year old boy. Which is clearly illegal.

[F]

Yeah.

[B]

And it could cause long term damage to the psyche of a 15 year old boy.

[F]

You know?

[B]

Right. Did you think about that?

[F]

Well, and that's why I had said previously, if. If he was going to be like, I don't feel comfortable, I would have laughed.

[B]

Yeah, but Kelsey, why even show up? That's the point. But remember just a few moments ago, he was trying to hustle the boy into the bedroom and get naked. He didn't have any reservations about that. He didn't tell the boy, oh, I'm really bummed out about my grandma. None of that. He was going to hustle this kid down the hallway to his room and have his way with him. Why even take the chance? You're 29. He's 15. You talked about sex. You talked about lube.

[F]

I shouldn't have done it. I shouldn't have.

[B]

I shouldn't have fucking done it. I shouldn't have. In case you couldn't hear that it sounded like it turned you on that he was younger.

[F]

No, it didn't.

[B]

You were going to show him things. You're going to teach him things. He was new at this and you were the experienced guy and you said basically that it's better for him to have this experience with you because you weren't going to be rough with him or as aggressive as some of the other people on Grindr would be. Right? Do I have that right?

[F]

I would have rather me like you had said. And I had, I guess, texted that because again, I've met people on Grindr. There's a lot of people who are way older who would have probably rushed in and been like, okay, jumped his bones right away.

[B]

Yeah, but you weren't talking about going to his bedroom. You were getting ready to follow him into his bedroom.

[F]

Well, I mean, the couch isn't exactly

[B]

right, but it goes to intent. Now what he's going to try and tell me is that the couch isn't exactly the place where he wanted to have sex with the boy. So that's why he was trying to get him into the bedroom. Again, that doesn't address any of the legalities of this or how creepy and predator like it is. I mean, going to the bedroom is not necessarily for chatting and watching the evening news. Going to the bedroom is to take your clothes off and have sex with a 15 year old boy. Right. And you live here as well?

[F]

I do.

[B]

And does your family live here as well?

[F]

Yeah.

[B]

And do you have any relationships going on with people your age?

[F]

Everybody talks to me, but nobody really wants me as a friend. They don't want me.

[B]

And here comes the sob story. He lives in the area, has family in the area, and chats a lot with people in the area, but nobody really wants to be friends with poor,

[F]

poor Kelsey and like almost any way at all, whatsoever. And why you always been the outcast for?

[B]

Why do you think that is, Kelsey?

[F]

Honestly, I don't know. I'm friendlier than friendly. I give everybody chances. Even when they be like, oh, you're stupid, you're dumb, whatever. I'm always smiling to everybody, you know, good morning, good afternoon. I always try with everybody, I seriously do. And nobody wants to give me a chance as a friend, relation. Literally nothing. Nobody wants to do nothing.

[B]

And I can understand on a human level how frustrating that might be. What I can't understand and what I want you to try to explain to me, why would you then make this leap to trying to have sex with a 15 year old boy, which is illegal. You could go to prison for that.

[F]

And I really don't want to.

[B]

No, literally, you don't want friends in prison, do you? No friends in prison. That's exactly what he's going to be facing. If what you've heard shocks you so far, join us. Back in a moment. You've heard us talk about One Skin for their best selling skin care. My wife and I use it religiously. Now they're bringing that same breakthrough longevity science to your scalp with OS1 hair. Lately, I've noticed my own hair changing, getting grayer for sure, and maybe a little bit less volume. And you know, it can be frustrating. But that's exactly why Oneskin built this daily serum. It's powered by their proprietary OS1 peptide to nourish hair right at the root. In clinical studies, users saw a 43% increase in hair thickness and 75% saw visible new growth. Unlike other treatments, it's drug free, non greasy, and hasn't irritated my scalp at all. Can you tell? Looks pretty good for a man of a certain age. Born from over 10 years of longevity research, One Skin's OS1 peptide is engineered to support your hair to look visibly fuller and thicker at any age. For a limited time, try one skin with 15% off using code HANSEN at OneSkin co. HANSEN. That's 15% off. OneSkin co with code HANSEN. H A N S E N. After you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you.

[G]

Introducing Meta glasses.

[B]

Hey, Meta, any last minute tables for two tonight?

[G]

Sure, there's a great Italian restaurant 15 minutes away.

[B]

Hey, Meta, where's the nearest flower shop?

[G]

Five minutes away, straight down Broadway, past the bodega. Their lilies are trending on Instagram. Just saying.

[B]

Hey Meta, am I forgetting anything else?

[G]

How about setting a calendar reminder for next year? Meta glasses available in more than 20 styles.

[B]

Oh, and there's this. Kelsey was supposed to fly out just the next day from northern Michigan to Texas where a friend is getting married and he's supposed to be in the wedding. Can you imagine having to call

[D]

at

[B]

the last minute and tell these people that you can't be in a wedding because you got caught in a predator

[F]

sting And I really wanted it and I really have plans to fly out of here Friday to go to Texas for my best friend's wedding down there, literally tomorrow.

[B]

Kelsey. So you are supposed to get on a plane tomorrow.

[F]

Tomorrow.

[B]

And fly down to Texas for your best friend's wedding?

[F]

Yes.

[B]

And are you in the wedding?

[F]

I am.

[B]

You're in the wedding? Yes, that's right. He's in the wedding. And now you're gonna have to figure all this out because You've been arrested trying to have sex with a 15 year old boy. What are they going to think? What do you think they're going to say at the wedding? I mean, how do people, what are they to think of this? Because you're stressed? Oh no, everybody's stressed, Kelsey. Everybody in the world is stressed. And it doesn't allow you to conduct yourself like this. So help me to understand why you thought it was okay to come over here to have sex with a 15 year old boy. What do you think the consequences would have been, long term on a 15 year old boy? You saw him.

[F]

Honestly? I, I, I, I, I, I don't, I don't know.

[B]

I don't know. Well, I know. Kelsey. The consequences of an adult your age sexually exploiting a child are long lasting. They can affect the psyche of a child for the rest of their lives. It can shape how they view sex, intimacy, relationships down the road. It can screw them up horribly, sometimes in a way that they'll never come back from. And that is why we do these investigations, to create awareness and hopefully a deterrence. Although I question that because 22 years into this, people like Kelsey continue to show up the day before they're supposed to go to Texas to be in a wedding claiming that they're stressed out because their grandma is ill and on her deathbed. I think what really happens in these cases is that they get so desensitized by these platforms, these sites where everybody is on there looking for quick sex. They blur the lines of what is acceptable under the law. They're looking to, as one predator told me a couple months ago, catch a quick nut in southern parlance, I suppose. And they start to think of this as something so casual, even in the case where they're meeting somebody who's underage and it's not casual, it's criminal. And he didn't think about the consequences. He didn't think what his actions could do, the impact they would have on a child. And yeah, he's thinking about it now and he's coming up with all kinds of different excuses to justify his actions. Can you imagine if you invited one of your buddies to a wedding and you got word that he wasn't going to be in the wedding because he got busted by a sheriff's office. And Chris Hansen, can you just imagine that? Well, that's exactly what these people had to go through because of Kelsey's selfish and criminal actions on this day in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the ripple effect on his family, on his friends, on himself, and we'll talk in a minute about what happened to him because he recently pleaded guilty to these charges. This goes on for years. And what if we weren't there? And what if a 15 year old boy was there? You can tell by watching this, by hearing the conversation, he was going to hustle that boy off and have his way with him. There is no doubt in my mind and I've been doing this a long time. So what does Kelsey think should happen to him? Before I tell you what did happen to him just about a week ago, let's listen to what Kelsey has to say. You don't know. You think they'd be good?

[F]

I don't know.

[B]

Like I said, for a 29 year old man to have sex with a

[F]

boy, like I said, if he told me he wasn't down and he was feeling awkward, I would have just left.

[B]

But you shouldn't be here anyway. Nobody forced you to be here. Nobody tricked you to be here. Right. You had plenty of opportunities to say, this is a bad idea, young man. You should hang out with people your own age.

[F]

And I try.

[B]

Call me when you're 21. Yeah, but help me to understand what it was that made you not use your common sense to make you not use your rational ability to determine the difference between right and wrong. And I asked this question of a lot of guys because I come face to face with a lot of guys in your situation, Kelsey. Yeah,

[F]

I just don't want to go to.

[E]

I don't.

[B]

Have you ever been in trouble with the law before?

[F]

No. And I really don't want to be. I really don't. All right,

[B]

Kelsey, there's something you need to know. And that is. I'm Chris Hansen and I do stories on men who try to exploit children online.

[F]

Trying to think of Chris Hansen.

[B]

Chris Hansen, who does the predator investigations.

[F]

Because I don't really watch tv. I really don't.

[B]

Well, it's ironic because now you're on tv. Apparently, Kelsey isn't much of a TV watcher, so it takes him a minute to process who I am when I tell him and my camera crews come out.

[F]

I really don't want to be. I really don't.

[B]

You walked into this investigation and now into one of my stories. Is there anything else you want people to know about your situation, about yourself or what brought you here this evening? Now's the time to share it with me.

[F]

I'm just a stressful guy. That's all. That's all I am.

[B]

Yeah, but a stressful guy could go to the gym Go play pickleball. Go to the bar. You could do a lot of different things. Go smoke a joint. Marijuana is legal here in Michigan.

[F]

I don't even do drugs. I tell even everybody.

[B]

I'm not advocating drugs. I'm not advocating drinking. I'm just saying there are a lot of things you could do, including exercise that would relieve stress that wouldn't have landed you here in this sting house in Iron Mountain, Michigan, sitting on a couch with me, which is no fun, is it? And so now the fellas here on this task force and the sheriff's office here in town are going to take it from here. So if there's anything else you want to tell me, now's the time. Otherwise, these guys are going to handle it from here. Kelsey. So.

[F]

All right. I even told my mother I was coming.

[G]

Oh.

[B]

Kelsey is taken away to be booked at the Dickinson County Jail in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Just a week or so ago, Kelsey pleaded guilty to charges relating to his bust in this investigation. He will now serve 18 months in a Michigan prison. We'll see what kind of friends he makes there. Being a smiling, friendly, nice guy. When he gets out, he'll be a registered sex offender. We wanted to know if Kelsey had ever been in trouble with the law before. And that's one of the reasons why we partnered with TruthFinder. TruthFinder is an online platform that allows you to find out a lot of information about just about anyone. And in fact, if you get some of those calls on your cell phone and you don't know who it is, you can look it up on Truth Finder. You want to know background about anybody, you can look it up on Truth Finder. You want to know if anybody's been involved in criminal activity, you can find out on Truth Finder. I use it during our investigations, and it's very useful. Sometimes I get information quicker than the law enforcement people do. This is your Truth Finder update brought to you by our [e-mail] we looked at Kelsey Burbank's background and in fact, it checks out that he lives in the area. And according to our Truth Finder search, he has never been in trouble with the law before, never convicted, never charged with any felonies. This was was the first time that he had a serious brush with the law. Now when he gets out, he'll have to deal with being a registered sex offender, which is also listed on Truth Finder. And you can find out who is on that list living near you. For more information, go to truthfinder.com predators and find out more today. More of our story in a moment.

[G]

Starting a business can seem like a daunting task unless you have a partner like Shopify. They have the tools you need to start and grow your business. From designing a website to marketing, to selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like Mattel, Heinz and Allbirds continue to trust and use them. With Shopify on your side, turn your big business idea into sign up for your $1 per month [e-mail] specialoffer.

[B]

As always, I like to hear from you. And this week's question comes from Matt in Boca Raton, Florida.

[D]

Hi there, Chris. Matt reaching out from Boca Raton, Florida. I wanted to pose a question to you that's been on my mind for a few months now. Typically, after a suspect is apprehended by the police and they're either secured, put in place, handcuffed and then situated at like the bar for you in the kitchen to talk to or, you know, they're processed, they're taken, they're questioned, they're read the Miranda rights, and then you get a chance to talk to them. Usually when you come in, you'll say something similar to, hey, how you doing? I've always thought that was kind of bizarre because you being a, a journalist, I mean, you've had some great entrances before when they're not subdued, right? No hug for me. You want some milk with those cookies? Right. For Donald Morrison, it seems like when they're secured, you come in and you just say, hey, how you doing? And I just think it's really funny because how do you think they're doing? This is the worst night or day of their life. And they're, their secret is about to be exposed on national television. So I'm just wondering if, you know, you're kind of doing this. And I get that it's the type of greeting everybody just says because that's what people say. But I'm always just very conscious of when people say that to me just because I'm somebody who just can't stand perfunctory small talk, you know, Like, I even tested it out once in Walmart. I was like in between jobs, I was unemployed. I was just really in a bad mood. And somebody says, how you doing? I said, terrible. And they were like, good. They weren't even listening. I think like 95% of them say good even though they're not. But I think like, maybe two or three have said, like, oh, rough night or not Good. But is this something you're conscious of or you just sort of do out of habit? You know, because I guess it's sort of the element of surprise in terms of your creative greeting is sort of taken away from you when it's a controlled environment. So I don't know if you'd think about maybe doing something a little different upon your entrance next time.

[B]

That's a great observation, Matt, and I appreciate you asking me about it. I try to adjust my approach based upon the situation I'm entering. And as you know, in some investigations, I get to talk to the alleged predator before police put them in custody. It often depends on the level of threat. And in some jurisdictions, automatically it's their process. They take the predator into custody, and then I get the chance to talk to them afterwards. Each has their benefits. But you're right. When the predator walks in and I get a chance to make the first contact, it does allow me to sometimes be a little more creative. When I walk into a lockup mat, I'm looking for an opening. So what you hear come from me is just a way to sort of start the dialogue. I might say, kind of rough night, isn't it? Sometimes I'll do something a little more colorful or clever, depending on the circumstances. But mostly I'm trying to get this guy to open up and to get into a discussion. And in the beginning it might be, hey, how you doing? Or just a perfunctory welcome or introduction or statement. And then I'll work into saying something maybe more clever, something that might entertain you a little bit more later in the year. But I appreciate the observation and I appreciate your support of everything we do. You can find me just about everywhere online. X is hishanson. Instagram is official. Chris Hansen. TikTok is. Have a seat with Chris Hansen. I'm on Cameo should you ever desire. True Blue is my streaming network. Every Thursday, as I mentioned, a new episode of Takedown, our predator investigative series drops. I think we're up to about 240, and we've got plenty more to go. We're about to strike out into some new destinations, jurisdictions we've not worked in before. I'm very excited about it and I'll tell you more about it right here where you can always reach [e-mail] I'll be watching and listening.

[G]

In the US there's a break in every 26 seconds. But when intruders step near Simplisafe, home security steps up.

[B]

Stop. This is Simplisafe. Police are on the way.

[G]

Using AI alerts, US based live agents help deter break ins. Simplisafe no long term contracts. Save 50% on your new system with professional monitoring at SimpliSafe.com com Spotify or with promo code Spotify Outdoor Deterrence requires

[B]

a Simplisafe Active Guard Outdoor Protection plan starting at 49.99amonth. Visit simplisafe. Com licenses for alarm license information. Tennessee2012.