Rhode Island man convicted of selling guns without a license

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man has been convicted of illegally selling 16 guns that he purchased, including at least five that ended up in the hands of people not allowed to be in possession of firearms, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Ademola Kayode Jr., 30, of Warwick, was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday of several charges, including dealing in firearms without a license and making a false statement during the purchase of firearms, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office in Providence.

Kayode came to the attention of federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents in 2016 because he bought 16 guns in 16 months from federally licensed firearms dealers in Rhode Island, Georgia, and online, prosecutors said.

He also falsely stated on ATF background forms required for gun purchases that he was not a user of controlled substances, when in fact he was, prosecutors said.

To date, five of the 16 firearms purchased by Kayode between March 2015 and July 2016 have been recovered by law enforcement — three in Rhode Island, one in Georgia, and one in New York City. All were in the possession of people prohibited from having guns.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 8.