Rhode Island State Police arrested a Newport man Thursday on multiple illegal weapons charges after he allegedly made threats of violence on social media, authorities said.
Alexander Bestoso, 27, of 3 Morgan St., was taken into custody after state police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms executed a search warrant at his home and vehicle. Investigators recovered a fully loaded ghost gun, six large-capacity magazines, an AR-style rifle, a pistol, two lower rifle receivers, body armor and more.
State police said they first received information from the U.S. Treasury Department in February about Bestoso’s social media activity. A review of his X account revealed anti-government rhetoric, racist views and online threats, including videos in which Bestoso displayed a ghost gun and stated it was his right to possess illegal firearms. In the videos, he also warned that he would take action if federal or local authorities came for him, according to police.
Bestoso was charged with manufacturing, selling, purchasing or possessing a ghost or 3D-printed gun, carrying a pistol or revolver without a license or permit, and additional counts. He was arraigned Thursday and held on $20,000 surety bail. He is currently being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions, with a rearraignment scheduled for Friday.
The arrest drew a swift response from state Sen. Dawn Euer (District 13 – Newport,Jamestown), who connected it to two recent mass shootings in Rhode Island.
“This arrest comes on the heels of two mass shootings in Rhode Island,” Euer said in a statement. “The rise of racist and violent anti-government rhetoric is not surprising, but we must not normalize it. As a staunch advocate of common-sense gun laws, I believe that we need to pass a comprehensive assault weapons bill to keep Rhode Islanders safe. I’m thankful to Senator Tiara Mack for reintroducing that important bill and to the law enforcement officers for their proactive response.”