Anthony Eugene Burns, 31, of Maryland, was found guilty by a federal jury for unlawfully possessing a firearm, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. The conviction follows an incident on February 25, 2024, when Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call about a disorderly group at an apartment building on the 2700 block of Wade Road Southeast in Washington, D.C.
As officers approached the building, they saw Burns turn and run away. During the pursuit, officers observed him throw what appeared to be a dark-colored object over a fence into a vacant lot. After briefly losing sight of him in an alley between Eaton Road Southeast and Sumner Road Southeast, police located Burns hiding on the 1200 block of Sumner Road Southeast.
Officers then returned to the area where they had seen Burns throw the object and recovered a black Glock 27 pistol loaded with 21 rounds in an extended magazine and one round in the chamber.
Burns has prior felony convictions from 2017 related to a violent armed robbery spree. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, interference with interstate commerce by robbery, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for those offenses and was still on probation at the time of his most recent arrest.
U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb has scheduled sentencing for November 24, 2025.
The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Washington Field Division. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole and Special Assistant United States Attorney Emily Reeder-Ricchetti. Former Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Craft also assisted with support from Paralegal Specialist Tiffany Robinson, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Teesha Tobias, Litigation Technology Specialist Charles Bruce and Litigation Technology Supervisor Leif Hickling.
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