WASHINGTON, D.C. – Anthony Burns, 23, of Washington, D.C., has confessed to a brazen spree of armed robberies that terrorized local businesses in late 2015. Burns pled guilty today to federal charges of conspiracy, robbery, and weapons offenses, bringing him one step closer to facing serious time for his crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the Metropolitan Police Department announced the guilty plea, a small victory in a city plagued by violent crime.
According to court documents, Burns and his crew targeted multiple commercial establishments in both Washington, D.C., and Maryland. The first incident occurred on November 27, 2015, at the City Beats shoe store in the 3000 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE. Surveillance footage showed Burns, along with Gregory Hull, 23, of Suitland, Md., and an unidentified accomplice, storming the store armed with handguns. They forced employees and customers to the floor, demanding cash and stealing approximately $1,594 and several pairs of shoes. The brazenness of the attack is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who work in the service industry.
The robberies didn’t stop there. On December 13, 2015, Burns and another unidentified accomplice hit two 7-Eleven convenience stores within a 40-minute span. At the first location, in the 4600 block of South Capitol Street SW, Burns allegedly struck an employee in the head with his handgun when the employee couldn’t immediately open the cash register and safe, resulting in a laceration. They made off with an undetermined amount of cash and cigarettes. The second 7-Eleven, located in the 900 block of Eastern Avenue NE, saw Burns jump over the counter, gun drawn, and demand money from the cashier.
Burns was arrested on December 29, 2015, following a warrant for his arrest. He has remained held without bond ever since. While Burns has taken responsibility for his actions, three other individuals – Gregory Hull, Breyon Lee, 23, and Bradley Lee, 21, both of Washington, D.C. – have also pled guilty to federal charges related to the robberies and are awaiting sentencing. It’s a network of criminality that preyed on local businesses.
Burns is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25, 2017, before the Honorable Amy Berman Jackson. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the conspiracy and robbery charges, and a potential life sentence for the weapons offense. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest a likely prison term of 130 to 141 months, along with a fine ranging from $15,000 to $150,000. He will also be required to pay restitution to the victims and forfeit any assets gained through the robberies.
U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Andrew Vale, and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham all praised the collaborative effort of law enforcement in bringing Burns and his accomplices to justice. The case highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling violent crime in the nation’s capital. The investigation remains open as authorities continue to identify the remaining, unidentified co-conspirators.
Related Federal Cases
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- Curtis Fogg Sentenced to 22 Years for Armed Robberies · Maryland
- Washington Brothers Sentenced for MD/VA Armed Robberies · Maryland
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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