Two men, one convicted of murder, charged with illegal possession of guns

Two Minneapolis men, including one who was convicted of second-degree murder, were charged with felon in possession of a firearm, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Cordell Burton, 46, and Javontae Blanton, 35, were both charged with the gun felony, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. Both men also were charged with second-degree sale of a controlled substance and third-degree possession.

According to the criminal complaint, police executed a search warrant Wednesday at the apartment the two men share at 3214 Queen Ave.N. As police entered, they saw Blanton escape through a window, although he was later caught. Burton was arrested in the apartment.

During the search, in the east bedroom, they found a .380 semi-automatic handgun and just over 40 grams of suspected marijuana. There also was mail with Burton’s name on it. Burton was convicted of second-degree murder in 1992 and was prohibited from possessing a gun or ammunition. Blanton also was prohibited because of convictions for a number of violent crimes, including second-degree assault in 2004.

In the hallway closet, police found a loaded Springfield 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun. In the living room, they discovered 5.7 grams of suspected heroin packaged into 17 bindles.

Burton criminal complaint (PDF)

Blanton Criminal Complaint (PDF)