ATLANTA \u2013 5\/27\/25 – Terry Lewis Burston, a multi-convicted felon who was released from prison last year, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Regina D. Cannon on May 22, 2025, following his arrest on charges of postal robbery, aggravated assault on a federal employee, Hobbs Act Robbery, and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Burston was arrested on May 17, 2025, pursuant to a criminal complaint obtained by the United States Postal Inspection Service.<\/p>\n
\u201cBurston is a violent repeat offender who allegedly terrorized the citizens of DeKalb County by assaulting federal employees and robbing local business operators at gunpoint,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. \u201cWe are grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners whose coordinated investigation resulted in Burston\u2019s arrest and prevented him from committing additional violent crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is another example of Postal Inspectors and local agencies collaborating to remove an armed and dangerous individual from our community,\u201d said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. \u201cWe are grateful to the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for prosecuting the violent and callous actions committed by this defendant against postal service employees and other businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On December 14, 2024, Burston allegedly robbed an auto parts store in Decatur, Georgia. During the robbery, Burston allegedly brandished a black handgun, tapped it on the store counter, and demanded money from an employee. Burston fled after confiscating the cash.<\/p>\n
Six days later, on December 20, 2024, Burston allegedly waited outside a Scottdale, Georgia, post office. He forced his way inside after the last customer departed, pointed a gun at a postal employee, demanded money, obtained cash from the register, and fled.<\/p>\n
Later, on January 17, 2025, Burston allegedly attempted to rob a gas station in Decatur when he pointed a black handgun at an employee and demanded money.<\/p>\n
Four months later, on May 17, 2025, Burston allegedly attempted to rob a Lithonia, Georgia, Post Office but fled after postal employees began alerting their co-workers. Postal inspectors who responded to the attempted robbery found Burston changing his clothes behind a nearby restaurant. They recovered a firearm lying at Burston\u2019s feet and arrested him after a brief chase.<\/p>\n
At the time of these alleged offenses, Burston was subject to federal supervision following his 2013 conviction for armed bank robbery. In a separate case, Burston was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment for robbing an Atlanta bank and post office in 1995.<\/p>\n
Members of the public are reminded that the complaint only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government\u2019s burden to prove the defendant\u2019s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.<\/p>\n
This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with valuable assistance from the DeKalb County Police Department.<\/p>\n
Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Schechtman is prosecuting this case.<\/p>\n
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