Bristol man charged with lying on firearm application

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — Attorney General Peter Neronha said Friday  that a Bristol man has been charged with providing false information in order to purchase a firearm.

Keith Sartini was charged with one count of providing false information while attempting to secure a firearm.

The 56-year-old was accused of attempting to purchase two firearms from East Bay Ammunition, LLC in Tiverton on April 25, 2023.

He was subsequently denied after a National Instant Background Check System check returned results flagging him as being prohibited from purchasing a firearm.

Neronha said that investigators learned Sartini is facing a pending felony charge for possession of child pornography following his arrest in 2018. Under federal law individuals awaiting trial on felony charges are prohibited from receiving a gun or ammunition.

Investigators also learned that Sartini lied on his state and federal firearm applications by denying that he was currently under information or indictment for a crime that could carry a sentence of more than one year in prison.

Investigators from the Office of the Attorney General arrested Sartini on July 12.