Career Criminal with 64 Prior Felonies Nets 29 More

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained forty-seven convictions, including twenty-nine felony convictions, against a career criminal who already had sixty-four felony convictions on his record. Curtis Anthony Burnside, 39, was convicted of twelve counts of Burglary, seventeen counts of felony Theft, sixteen counts of misdemeanor Theft, and one count each of Simple Possession and Criminal Impersonation. Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on November 9 where Burnside faces twelve years in prison for each Burglary count and six years in prison for each felony Theft count.

In a four-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Phil Morton explained to the jury that from July to November, 2016, Burnside committed thirty separate offenses against multiple businesses in Knox County. During this five-month crime spree, Burnside stole from Walmart on twelve occasions, Kroger on six occasions, and J.C. Penney on six occasions. He also stole from Ingles, Exxon, Mr. Zip, Walgreens, Kohl’s, and Target. Burnside would steal everything from cigarettes and beer to televisions and video game systems for a total of $16,588 worth of merchandise. Officers and detectives with both the Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office worked with employees of each of these stores to identify Burnside and investigate the crimes.

Burnside has sixty-four prior felony convictions on his criminal record for offenses including Robbery, Forgery, Theft, and Burglary. Under Tennessee law, a person is considered a Career Offender once they have six felony convictions on their record. With today’s jury verdict, Burnside now has ninety-three felony convictions. DA Charme Allen stated,”At sentencing, my Office will seek consecutive sentences to keep this prolific, professional thief off the streets of our community.”

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.