Edward Burgess, 45, of Philadelphia, PA, was found guilty at trial of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon—a charge stemming from a chaotic raid on an unlicensed speakeasy in June 2019. The conviction, announced by U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, marks a direct hit against underground criminal operations thriving in the city’s shadow economy.
The trouble began when undercover agents from the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE), infiltrated a local lounge operating without a license. Surveillance showed Burgess acting as manager, controlling access to restricted areas and overseeing illegal alcohol and tobacco sales. What started as a routine vice investigation exploded into a federal firearms case when Philadelphia Police executed a raid on the illicit establishment.
As officers moved to remove Burgess from the crowd, he yanked a loaded firearm from his waistband and hurled it backward—striking an undercover BLCE officer in the leg. The weapon was quickly recovered by responding officers. Forensic checks confirmed Burgess had prior felony convictions, legally barring him from possessing any firearm under federal law.
“Today’s conviction at trial is a step forward to a safer Philadelphia,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “This case is an example of our close working relationship with our local and state partners to use federal criminal charges to make the community safer.”
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division, emphasized the broader impact: “The outcome of this prosecution sends a positive message to the community on ATF’s commitment to keeping the public safe from firearms violence. Keeping our communities safe from violent felons like this will always be our top priority.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Carissimi and Bea Witzleben. It falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the DOJ’s nationwide initiative to combat violent crime through coordinated federal, state, and local enforcement.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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