Domestic call leads to arrest of Rhode Island man on 27 counts, mainly related to drugs and guns

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Rhode Island man has been charged in Providence County Superior Court with 27 counts, the majority of which are related to guns and drugs, following his arrest by the Cumberland Police on February 22, 2023.

On May 9, 2023, the Office of the Attorney General charged 42-year-old Alex Parfitt by way of criminal information, with one count of possession of 1 kg to 5 kg of marijuana, one count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, one count of possession with intent to deliver psilocin, one count of possession with intent to deliver tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), four counts of possession of a firearm while possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance, ten counts of possession of a firearm by a person that previously convicted of a crime of violence, six counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device, one count of criminal violation of a No Contact Order, one count of obstructing an officer in the execution of duty, and one count of domestic disorderly conduct.

As alleged in the criminal information, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on January 14, 2023, Cumberland Police responded to a domestic disturbance report on West Wrentham Road in Cumberland. Upon arrival, the victim told officers that the defendant was throwing her belongings around the house and “ashing” cigarettes on her bed. Officers observed the defendant in the house, and knew he was in violation of a No Contact Order between the victim and the defendant. The defendant then fled the scene on foot.

As further alleged, the victim told officers that the defendant had stored illegal firearms in the bathroom and in a locked safe in the bedroom. The defendant could not legally own firearms, having previously pleaded nolo contendere to a crime of violence. Moreover, the defendant was ordered to surrender all firearms in his possession as a condition of the No Contact Order.

As alleged in the criminal information, seized a Ruger .22 LR caliber handgun, a Glock 45 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun, a Smith & Wesson MP Shield .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a SCCY CPX-2 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a Ruger LCP .380 caliber handgun, and a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver. Investigators also uncovered several large capacity magazines.

As further alleged, on Thursday, January 19, 2023, detectives returned with a search warrant to seize additional firearms from the locked bedroom safe. Inside the safe, they found a Winchester 12-gauge shotgun, a Traksa Arms 12-gauge shotgun, a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifle, an FNl5 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifle, along with several large capacity magazines, including two 30-round rifle magazines. Detectives then searched a second safe, in the garage, and found one bag containing 20 oz. of psilocybin mushrooms, more than 5 lbs. of marijuana, $8,375.00 in cash, and drug paraphernalia.

The defendant is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on July 12, 2023 in Providence County Superior Court.