Mar 15, 2007 By The 2 min read

A former California University of Pennsylvania football player accused of violating federal firearms laws was indicted earlier this week in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh. A complaint, filed in December by federal agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, accused Kwabena Baffoe-Bonnie, 24, of Toronto, Canada, of violating gun laws. The indictment alleged that Baffoe-Bonnie used two men to buy 12 handguns on his behalf between Feb. 23 and March 24, 2006.

At least two of those guns were recovered in Canada, and one of the .380-caliber pistols allegedly purchased on Baffoe-Bonnie’s behalf was recovered in Toronto by the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit after a gang shooting, according to the indictment.

The indictment indicated that Baffoe-Bonnie is unable to legally buy a gun in the United States because he is in the country on a non-immigrant student visa. The indictment indicated he had two people, identified in the indictment as “T.R.” and “A.W.” buy the guns. Baffoe-Bonnie allegedly paid for the guns, determined what type were to be bought and offered them monetary incentives to buy the guns.

The indictment also indicated that Baffoe-Bonnie called gun shops and inquired about the cost and availability of various guns. The indictment also indicated he helped by “providing cover stories for the purchaser’s subsequent ‘loss’ of the firearms.”

Federal authorities indicated that three 9mm caliber Kel Tec pistols, four .380-caliber Kel Tec pistols, three .380-caliber Bersa pistols, one .38-caliber Taurus pistol and one .22 LR caliber Beretta pistol were purchased on Baffoe-Bonnie’s behalf.

He is charged with conspiracy to commit and offense against the United States, possession of a firearm by an alien admitted to the U.S. under a non-immigrant visa and knowingly making a false statement with respect to information kept in records of federally licensed firearms dealers.