Rhode Island Man Admits to Straw Purchase of Three Firearms

PROVIDENCE, RI – A Rhode Island man today admitted to a federal judge that he made false statements while purchasing three firearms that he purchased from federally licensed firearms dealers, asserting on forms that he was the actual buyer and that he was not purchasing the guns with the intent of transferring them to another person when, in fact, he transferred the firearms to his employer who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Appearing in U.S. District Court in Providence, Keith Greene, 27, of Warwick, pleaded guilty to three counts of false statement during purchase of a firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 8, 2024. The defendant’s sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to information presented to the court, Greene purchased three firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in Rhode Island between January 30, 2023, and February 21, 2023. During each purchase, Greene represented on ATF forms that he was the actual transferee/purchaser of the firearms, and then signed the form directly beneath a warning that it is a felony to falsely claim to be the actual buyer . When taking possession of the firearms, Greene  again asserted on the same federal forms that the information he previously entered was accurate and that he was, in fact, the transferee/buyer of the firearms. 

In December 2023, members of the East Providence Police Department discovered all three firearms in the possession of his former employer. They were seized during an unrelated investigation. Also seized at the time was a document signed by both Greene and his employer acknowledging the transfer of one of the firearms.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Micheal Seaman.

The matter was investigated by ATF, with the assistance of the East Providence Department.

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