Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that RAUL BURDEN, a 27-year old resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  As a result of his conviction, BURDEN now faces a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison, significant fines and a period of supervised release.

In a hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Brian Jackson on May 28, 2019, BURDEN pled guilty to possessing a Charter Arms “Off Duty” .38 special caliber revolver.  BURDEN had previously been convicted of three felony offenses, including intimidating, impeding or injuring witnesses in 2009 and simple robbery in 2011 in East Baton Rouge Parish.

On December 24, 2018, EMS dispatchers received three 911 calls reporting shots being fired outside of an apartment complex located on Manson Drive in Baton Rouge.  East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene.  Upon arrival, deputies identified BURDEN from the emergency calls and ordered him to remove his hands from his pockets and place them on his head.  BURDEN did not comply.  When deputies again ordered BURDEN to remove his hands, he threw the firearm away from himself.  The firearm was recovered at the scene.  

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “I want to commend those law enforcement officers who responded to a 911 call involving shots being fired.  This case highlights yet another example of the danger faced by law enforcement and the uncertainty that comes with every dispatch.  Their brave and rapid intervention prevented a potentially dangerous outcome and led to the conviction of a violent felon who was illegally possessing a firearm.  I want to thank our prosecutors and our federal and local partners for their outstanding work in obtaining this conviction.”

“ATF, along with our local law enforcement partners, will continue to focus our efforts on removing armed violent criminals from our streets,” said ATF New Orleans Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Kristen deTineo.  “ATF and our partners remain committed to ensuring that our communities are safer and more secure as a direct result of our investigations."

This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristen Craig.