Defendant’s Love For Guns Will Return Him to State Prison

Modified: June 27, 2013 9:49am

Latest News

Redirecting to our new, updated website ...
6/5/2013

Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III announced that 33 year old Rashawn Burns pleaded guilty, as charged, to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia.  This is the highest charge for which he could have been convicted had he gone to trial. 

Burns has six prior criminal convictions, three of which are for felonies. Burns has also violated parole on three previous occasions. Shockingly, his latest conviction stems from illegally possessing a handgun. Specifically, on August 30, 2012, Buffalo Police Officers Michael Acquino and Mark Hamilton arrested defendant for being in possession of a loaded .357 revolver on Sherman Street in the City of Buffalo. Burns stated the following to the arresting officers: that he loved guns; that he got the gun in a burglary; that he kept the gun for protection; that the gun was only loaded with four bullets; and, in reference to the officers, that “your job is to get me, my job is to get away.”

The case was successfully prosecuted by ADA John Glascott. DA Sedita also took note of Officers Acquino and Hamilton, stating: “These two dedicated officers have taken dozens of illegal handguns and gun-toting thugs off the streets. The law-abiding citizens of Buffalo owe them many thanks.”

Burns faces a maximum prison term of 15 years when he is sentenced before the Hon. Russell P. Buscaglia on July 22, 2013.