Convicted rapist sentenced on federal weapons charge

James Edwards Burton, 62, of White Oak, pleaded guilty last August to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Prosecutors said that the charge stemmed from a routine stop for a traffic violation on Jan. 2, 2009. After he failed a sobriety test, prosecutors said, a police officer patted down Burton and found a loaded .32-caliber handgun in his pocket.

Burton was convicted of second-degree rape in 1995 and of first-degree rape and assault with intent to kill inflicting serious injury in the 1970s, according to state Department of Correction records. He served nearly three years in prison for the 1995 conviction and 18 years for the 1970s convictions.