Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

PROVIDENCE – A Scituate man who is the subject of a domestic no-contact order and who is facing felony larceny charges in Rhode Island state court was arraigned before a federal court magistrate judge today, charged in a Project Guardian investigation with allegedly making false statements on a federal application to purchase two firearms.

Brandon Andreason, 31, appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a federal criminal complaint charging him with making false statements in an application to purchase firearms, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Kelly D. Brady.

Project Guardian is the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

It is alleged in court documents that Andreason, who is the subject of a domestic no-contact order and is facing multiple felony charges in Rhode Island state court, made false statements on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives federal application when attempting to purchase a handgun and a shotgun from a federally licensed firearms dealer.

It is alleged that Andreason answered no to questions that asked if he was under indictment or information in any court for a felony, or any other crime, for which he could be imprisoned for more than one year, and if he is the subject of a court order restraining him from harassing, stalking, or threatening a child or an intimate partner.

Andreason is currently awaiting trial in Rhode Island state courts on felony charges of larceny greater than $1,500 and less than $5,000, receiving stolen goods greater than $1,500 and less than $5,000, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This Project Guardian case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

Project Guardian draws upon the Department of Justice’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

The United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: ATF, Scituate Police Department, and the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian .

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