Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Kevin L. Burris, 42, Belleville, Illinois, pled guilty on June 6, 2016, to an indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury in February charging him with Distribution of Cocaine Base (Counts 1 and 2), and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon (Count 3). The offenses occurred in St. Clair County, Illinois. Counts 1 and 2 carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine, and not less than 3 years’ supervised release. Count 3 carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years’ supervised release. Both counts require an assessment of $100. Sentencing is scheduled for August 30, 2016. Burris was allowed to remain on bond.

According to court documents, on May 28th and June 2nd, 2015, Burris distributed cocaine base in the form commonly known as "crack" cocaine to another individual for profit. Burris acknowledged selling crack cocaine for the last several years. On October 29, 2016, Burris was found by a St. Clair County Deputy Sheriff asleep behind the wheel of a running car in the middle of a Belleville street. Following his arrest, a Rossi, .357 revolver was found in Burris’s possession. Burris is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction.

Information leading to the charges against Burris was obtained in an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.

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