Ex-Boston Police Officer 'Straw Purchaser' of Firearms, Arrested: DOJ

BOSTON - A former Boston Police Officer was arrested Monday and charged in connection with illegally purchasing firearms for people he knew, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Adarbaad Karani, 37, of West Roxbury, was charged in an indictment unsealed today with two counts of making a false statement during the purchase of firearms and two counts of making a false statement in a record.

Karani resigned in November 2016 from the Boston Police Department.

Prosecutors allege that in November 2014 and September 2015 Karani acted as the "straw purchaser" of a Glock, model 27, .40 caliber pistol and a Glock, model 30S, .45 caliber pistol. He allegedly claimed the guns were for officials police use and not for resale.

One of the guns was discovered in possession of Desmond Crawford, an alleged member of the Columbia Point Dawgs, during an arrest in November 2015.

Straw purchases make it difficult to regulate and record firearms. Knowingly making false statements to dealers in connection to firearms sales is a federal crime.