Jamal Burkett, 53, was taken into custody without incident around 7 a.m. in the 7900 block of Lindbergh Boulevard at a relative’s apartment in Southwest Philadelphia, according to Supervisory Deputy Robert Clark of the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force.
Burkett had been serving a 192-month federal sentence after pleading guilty in 2023 to assaulting a federal officer and weapons possession for firing multiple rounds at a Philly officer working with a federal task force. However, on May 14, officials at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility mistakenly released him once his local charges were cleared.
The error was discovered during a routine U.S. Marshals audit on Tuesday, June 10. A federal warrant was immediately issued for Burkett's arrest for failing to surrender for his sentence.
“Anyone who discharges a firearm at police officers must pay for their actions,” Clark said in a statement. “Capturing Burkett in less than 24 hours after being notified of his release is truly exceptional.”
Burkett has a long criminal history in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware counties spanning back to the 1990s, with convictions for theft, drug offenses, conspiracy, assault, robbery, and more.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
