Massachusetts man accused of lying nine times on firearms purchase applications

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Massachusetts man has been charged in Third Division District Court in Warwick with providing false information on nine separate firearms applications within a four-month span.

Maxwell Williams, 34, of New Bedford was arrested on Jan. 25 and charged with nine counts of providing false information while purchasing multiple firearms.

Williams is accused of attempting to purchase a firearm Dec. 10 from East Bay Ammunition LLC in Tiverton and was denied after a National Instant Background Check System (NICS) check flagged him as being prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a protection order.

Further investigation found that Williams purchased firearms using a false address on eight other applications between August and November 2023.

Williams used a suspended Rhode Island driver’s license while attempting to purchase the firearms according to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.

Williams is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on May 9, 2024, in Kent County Superior Court.