Alleged extreme anti-government rhetoric, threats, racist views on social media leads to Newport man’s arrest, seizure of numerous weapons

A local man is facing charges after social media comments lead to the seizure

According to State Police, during the last week of February, the Rhode Island State Intelligence Unit received information from the U.S. Treasury Department regarding a residence in Newport and concerning social media posts. The individual in question, identified as 27-year-old Alexander Bestoso residing on Morgan Street, Newport, Rhode Island, was found to be engaging in extreme anti-government rhetoric, expressing racist views, and making threats of violence through posts on his social media account.

Members of the Rhode Island State Police conducted a thorough examination of Bestoso’s account on “X,” which revealed content advocating for violence and strongly opposing both local and federal gun laws. Notably, several posts included images and videos of Bestoso displaying firearms, including a handgun that he explicitly identified as a ghost gun. In these videos, he asserted that it was his right to possess illegal firearms and declared that if federal or local authorities “try to come for me,” he would take action against them.

On Thursday morning, members of the Rhode Island State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms executed a court-authorized search warrant for Alexander Bestoso, which included his vehicle and his residence on Morgan Street, Newport, Rhode Island. During the execution of the search warrants, a fully loaded ghost gun was found on Bestoso’s person, concealed in his waistband. This was the same ghost gun featured in his online posts. Additionally, the Rhode Island State Police seized six loaded large-capacity magazines, a Diamondback Firearms AR-style rifle, a Springfield 1911 pistol, two lower rifle receivers, a lower pistol receiver, body armor, miscellaneous firearm tools and parts, and an assortment of ammunition for various caliber firearms.

Bestoso was taken into custody, transported to the Rhode Island State Police Wickford Barracks for processing, and later arraigned by a Justice of the Peace for the following charges: Carry Pistol or Revolver Without License or Permit, Large Capacity Feeding Devices (6 Counts), Manufacture, Sell, Purchase, or Possess Ghost or 3D Gun (3 Counts), and Unlawful Devices Attached to Semi-Automatic Weapon Allowing Auto Fire

Under Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-8), a “ghost gun” is defined as any firearm, including a frame or receiver, that lacks a unique serial number engraved by a licensed manufacturer. These untraceable weapons are often self-assembled from “80% kits” or produced via 3D printing. Since the passage of the 2020 ban, the manufacture, sale, or possession of a ghost gun is a felony in the State of Rhode Island, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47.1-3, it is unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, purchase, or possess a large capacity feeding device, defined as any magazine or container capable of holding more than ten (10) rounds of ammunition. Following the expiration of a 180-day grace period in December 2022, the possession of such devices—including the 30-round AR-15 magazine observed in the subject’s possession constitutes a felony punishable by up to five (5) years in prison.

Bestoso was specially arraigned today and bail was set at $20,000.00 surety. He was released to the custody of the Adult Correctional Institution. His re-arraignment is scheduled in Second Division District Court on Friday.