Kwabena Baffoe-Bonnie was living his dream. The Toronto native received a scholarship to California University of Pennsylvania to play football.

But in December, with Mr. Baffoe-Bonnie just days away from graduating with his bachelor's degree, his hard work and driving ambitions crashed down around him.

He was arrested on 14 federal charges, accused of illegally buying firearms and transporting them to Canada.

"Growing up, temptation was always around me," he said during his sentencing hearing yesterday. "I always managed to keep on track.

"[But] for one brief moment, I lost sight of everything I've known my whole life, and I gave in to temptation."

Mr. Baffoe-Bonnie, 25, apologized for that yesterday -- to his family and to the court -- and said he wants to get on with his life.

U.S. District Judge Terrence F. McVerry sentenced him to 30 months in prison.

In April, he pleaded guilty to two counts -- conspiracy and possession of a firearm by an alien. The other 12 counts were dismissed.

According to the prosecution, Mr. Baffoe-Bonnie enlisted the help of his girlfriend, Ashleigh Wade, and a teammate, Terrell Robinson, to purchase 14 handguns between Feb. 23 and March 24, 2006. Because he was in this country on a student visa, Mr. Baffoe-Bonnie was not permitted to buy firearms.

He told his friends what type of guns to buy -- they were mostly .38s and 9 mms -- gave them money to buy them and went with them to make the purchases.

In Canada, the guns had a higher value, because of restrictive firearms laws. One of the handguns, a .380-caliber pistol, was recovered at the scene of a gang shooting in Toronto. In all, only a handful of the weapons has been recovered.

At his sentencing hearing, several members of Mr. Baffoe-Bonnie's family spoke about how he had always been a good person, had never been in trouble before, and clearly had made a mistake.

The defendant talked about the opportunities he now realizes he took for granted -- a chance to come to the United States; having a free education; playing football; and having a loving and supportive family.

"I should have kept that in mind every day," Mr. Baffoe-Bonnie said.

He told the judge he would like to return to his old life, so he can continue to be a role model for his young cousins and the children who look up to him in the community.

"All I'm asking is you help me get back -- get back where I can help young men," he said.

Judge McVerry sentenced Mr. Baffoe-Bonnie at the low end of the recommended 30- to 37-month guideline range.

"This case has baffled me from the beginning, too," the judge said. "It's not understandable for me, except for a motive of greed."

Mr. Baffoe-Bonnie will likely be deported upon completion of his prison term.