Cold Spring Man Pleads Guilty to Prostitution With Boy

ST. CLOUD -- The second of two men charged with prostitution involving a 15-year-old boy from Cold Spring has pleaded guilty.

Court records show 59-year-old Joseph Burton of Cold Spring paid the boy to perform a sex act on him.

The criminal complaint charging Burton shows the boy placed ads in the “casual encounter” section on craigslist and met Burton and Ken Vilter at a Cold Spring Park on separate occasions in May. Burton is accused of paying the boy $160 for the sex act, while Vilter paid $300.

Vilter pleaded guilty in February.

Law enforcement pulled data from the boy’s cell phone and iPad and found numerous sexually explicit photos involving the boy and other individuals.

Burton was interviewed and ultimately admitted to authorities he had the encounter with the boy but said the money was to help him with school.

Burton pleaded guilty to engaging in prostitution with someone 13-to-15 years-old. He'll be sentenced May 18th.