A former Gastonia police officer, Xana Dayanae Dove, was sentenced on Mar. 10 to 15 months in prison for straw purchasing a firearm, according to Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Dove, age 28, will also serve two years of supervised release following her prison term.
The sentencing was announced by Ferguson along with Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division.
“No one is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “We stand behind our law enforcement officers and support them as they work hard to reduce violent crime in our community. But when they become criminals that instead contribute to that crime, they get no special treatment.”
Davis said: “Law enforcement officers are entrusted with significant authority and very few choose to violate that trust, but those instances will not be tolerated. The FBI, and our law enforcement partners, remain committed to accountability and protecting the integrity of the criminal justice system. We thank the officers who proudly protect and serve their communities every day.”
According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, Dove purchased a Springfield Hellcat Pro 9mm pistol from Shooters Express in Belmont on May 25, 2023. She admitted in court that she falsely stated on ATF’s Firearms Transaction Record Form 4473 that she was the actual buyer of the firearm when she knew this was not true.
At sentencing, the court ordered forfeiture of the Springfield Hellcat Pro pistol involved in the offense. Dove will report to federal prison once a facility is designated.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson commended the FBI and ATF for their investigation and thanked Homeland Security Investigations, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction’s Community Supervision division, and Gastonia Police Department for assisting with Dove’s apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Washington prosecuted the case.
