Latreavias Burns, a 28-year-old resident of Nashville, has been formally charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire of the Middle District of Tennessee.
“We will not permit those who have committed violent crimes to carry firearms, especially when they are on release in our community,” McGuire stated. “Our Operation Bond Watch program works every day with our law enforcement partners to keep violent felons from carrying guns and hold those who do accountable for their actions.”
Events leading to Burns's arrest unfolded on April 17, 2025, when detectives from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department monitored the area of South 6th Street and Summer Place through MDHA surveillance cameras. Identifying Burns, who was wanted due to active state warrants, the detectives attempted to apprehend him. Burns fled the scene but was eventually caught. Upon searching him, the detectives recovered a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol and a digital scale with marijuana residue.
Burns holds multiple prior felony convictions in Davidson County, including Attempted Second Degree Murder and Assault Resulting in Death and Accessory After the Fact. According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Burns had previously absconded from his community corrections program before this recent arrest.
Conviction on the current charge could bring Burns up to 15 years in federal prison, in addition to a maximum fine of $250,000.
The investigation is being undertaken jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is overseeing the prosecution.
This case forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative initiative with law enforcement and communities aimed at reducing violent crime and increasing neighborhood safety. Launched on May 26, 2021, the program emphasizes trust-building, community support, strategic enforcement priorities, and result measurement.
It should be noted that a criminal complaint is purely an allegation, and the defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
