Ex-Con Gets 7 Years After Menacing Bus Operator

Union officers surround Bus Operator Michael Haynes, who was menaced by Tony Burnett in 2019
Union officers surround Bus Operator Michael Haynes, who was menaced by Tony Burnett in 2019

Sept. 21, 2022 -- An ex-con was sentenced today to seven years in prison for menacing M11 Bus Operator Michael Haynes with a loaded gun in August 2019. About a dozen MaBSTOA officers and members joined Haynes as a show of solidarity in Manhattan Criminal Court on Centre St.

“Justice was served,” Haynes said after the proceeding.

Burnett angrily flashed a gun at Haynes on August 9, 2019, apparently because Haynes didn’t stop the bus for him in between authorized stops. Burnett bolted from the scene but was arrested later. A jury convicted Burnett of illegal gun possession earlier this year.

Burnett, who has three prior convictions, claimed he was actually taking the gun to the police to exchange it for cash. Criminal Court Judge Daniel Conviser didn’t buy it, telling Burnett that he had committed “an extraordinarily dangerous crime,” adding that a “significant period of incarceration is justified, and necessary to protect the public.”

His defense attorney argued that he was mentally ill, but Judge Conviser said: "You are struggling with a mental health issue, but that doesn't excuse your conduct."

MABSTOA VP Donald Yates said that, because Burnett had committed multiple crimes, his sentence wasn't adequate.