A former Gastonia police officer was indicted on federal charges alleging that she bought a handgun and then gave it to another person, an illegal transaction known as a straw purchase.

Federal prosecutors identified the suspect as Xana Dayanae Dove, 28.

She was arrested May 29 and released on bond following her initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler in Charlotte.

Dove’s arrest was reported Friday in a press release by the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

According to prosecutors, on May 25, 2023, Dove “knowingly made a false and fictitious written statement” when she bought a gun from Shooters Express, a licensed dealer in Belmont. After buying the gun, a Springfield Hellcat Pro, 9mm pistol, she transferred ownership to another

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