Penn Hills felon caught with stolen gun at traffic stop gets 4 more years in prison

A Penn Hills man caught with a stolen gun in his waistband during a traffic stop will spend four years behind bars, federal prosecutors said.

Christian Burrus, 38, who has prior convictions related to drug and gun charges, was arrested after Penn Hills police pulled over a vehicle he was riding in as a passenger in July, 2018.

“During the stop, he was sweating, would not make eye contact, and appeared very nervous,” prosecutors said.

After taking his name and running a records check, officers discovered Burrus was wanted by police.

While patting Burrus down, officers found a loaded Ruger 9 mm pistol tucked into his pants, prosecutors said. The gun turned up stolen.

Anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year in prison is prohibited from possessing a gun or ammunition.

His past convictions include possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and three firearms violations.

After serving his prison term, Burrus also was sentenced to serve three years of probation, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy C. Wiegand prosecuted the case with help from the FBI and Penn Hills police.

The case was brought forward as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Justice Department initiative through which federal and local law enforcement officials collaborate to reduce violent crime.