WASHINGTON D.C. – Rodney Burton, 35, of Washington, D.C., has confessed to illegally possessing firearms, a move that will likely land him behind bars. Burton pleaded guilty today to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. The case, a joint effort between federal and local law enforcement, highlights the ongoing struggle to keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals in the nation’s capital.
The bust began on November 22, 2022, when the U.S. Marshals Service apprehended Burton on an outstanding warrant. During the arrest, officers discovered he was packing heat – a Springfield Armory XD .45 caliber handgun loaded with one round in the chamber and a 13-round magazine. But that wasn’t all. A second firearm, a Sig-Sauer P220 .45 caliber handgun, also loaded with a round, was recovered at the scene.
The investigation didn’t stop there. Back on August 12, 2022, officers raided an apartment known to be Burton’s residence. There, they found a black Masterpiece Arms pistol, thankfully unloaded, but with a disturbing stash of 22 rounds jammed into a 20-round magazine. This discovery painted a clear picture of Burton’s disregard for the law and penchant for weaponry.
Federal prosecutors say Burton’s prior criminal history disqualifies him from legally owning firearms. Details of that prior conviction weren’t immediately released, but it’s enough to trigger the strict penalties associated with this charge. The ATF, leading the investigation through its Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, worked alongside the Metropolitan Police Department to build the case.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel of the ATF praised the collaborative effort, acknowledging the tireless work of officers and prosecutors. Paralegal Specialist Karla Nunez also received a commendation for her contributions to the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Shehzad Akhtar spearheaded the prosecution.
Burton is now awaiting sentencing, scheduled for July 19, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper. The length of his sentence remains to be seen, but with two felony gun charges on his record, Burton is almost certain to face a significant stretch in federal prison. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing firearms carries serious consequences in Washington, D.C., and beyond.
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- Charles General, Possession of Stolen Firearm, Washington DC, 2023 · West Virginia
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- Benjamin Harold Hall, Gun Possession, TN 2016 · Tennessee
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