Terry Lewis Burston, a repeat offender recently released from prison, appeared in court on May 22, 2025. He faces charges including postal robbery and aggravated assault on a federal employee. His arrest followed an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, "Burston is a violent repeat offender who allegedly terrorized the citizens of DeKalb County by assaulting federal employees and robbing local business operators at gunpoint." The coordinated efforts of federal and local law enforcement led to his arrest.
Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division, commented on the collaboration between agencies: “This is another example of Postal Inspectors and local agencies collaborating to remove an armed and dangerous individual from our community.”
Court records indicate that Burston allegedly committed multiple robberies over several months. On December 14, 2024, he reportedly robbed an auto parts store in Decatur, Georgia. Six days later, he allegedly robbed a post office in Scottdale after threatening a postal employee with a gun.
Further incidents include an attempted robbery at a gas station in Decatur on January 17, 2025. Most recently, on May 17, 2025, Burston was found changing clothes near a Lithonia post office following another alleged robbery attempt.
At the time of these events, Burston was under federal supervision due to past convictions for armed bank robbery dating back to 1995.
The public is reminded that these charges are allegations and that Burston is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The case benefits from cooperation between the United States Postal Inspection Service and the DeKalb County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah R. Schechtman will prosecute this case as part of Operation Take Back America.
For more information or inquiries regarding this case or others handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, contact their Public Affairs Office via email or phone as provided above.
