A former police officer from Gastonia, North Carolina, Xana Dayanae Dove, appeared in federal court after being charged with straw purchasing a firearm. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Russ Ferguson, announced that Dove was arrested and subsequently released on bond following her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler.
The indictment alleges that on May 25, 2023, Dove made a false statement to Shooters Express, a licensed firearms dealer in Belmont, North Carolina. She allegedly claimed to be the actual buyer of a Springfield Hellcat Pro 9mm pistol on ATF’s Firearms Transaction Record Form 4473 when she knew this was not true.
Dove faces charges of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and causing a false report during the transaction. If convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge considering various guidelines and statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson acknowledged the efforts of the FBI and ATF in investigating the case and expressed gratitude to Homeland Security Investigations, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction’s Community Supervision, and the Gastonia Police Department for their assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Washington is prosecuting the case.
