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RI man faces firearms charges after feds say they seized a cache of weapons. What to know.

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RI man faces firearms charges after feds say they seized a cache of weapons. What to know.


PROVIDENCE – A Smithfield man is facing federal charges that he illegally possessed ghost guns, an AR-15 assault rifle and silencers as a felon previously convicted of firearms and drug crimes.

Federal authorities on Wednesday arrested Brendan Farley, 39, of Rogler Farm Road, Smithfield, and charged him with possession of firearms by a felon; possession of ammunition by a felon; and possession of unregistered firearm silencers after a search of his car and the home he shares with his parents.

Farley appeared Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. He was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond with conditions that he refrain from using drugs and alcohol and that he seek substance-use treatment. He was ordered not to possess firearms.

His lawyer, Kevin Fitzgerald, declined to comment on the case.

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More: Man who led police on chase through East Providence held without bail on weapons charges

According to an affidavit by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Special Agent Brendan Jaffe, he was alerted by U.S. Postal Service security to a suspicious package addressed to Farley’s home. Security opened the package and discovered AK-47 automatic assault rifle components that had been sent to Rhode Island by Apex Gun Parts, based in Colorado.

Prior firearms, drug charges

The discovery prompted a review of Farley’s criminal record. Jaffe learned that Farley admitted in 2018 to felony charges of driving without consent of the owner while transporting a loaded Marlin Model 70 .22-caliber rifle with a round in the firing chamber and was sentenced to three years’ probation. 

On Feb. 10, 2017, Farley was arrested by the Johnston Police Department after a bartender at Escada Restaurant & Bar on Putnam Pike reported that Farley had told him he was “a state cop” and was “deep undercover” and “needed information on the table behind him,” the affidavit said. Farley lifted his sweater revealing a pistol in a tan holster and stated, “This is my badge.” 

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Officers found Farley wearing a tan pistol holster, but without the pistol.  When officers questioned him, he stated that he usually carried a pistol holster on his belt without a weapon.

More: A bomb threat or a ‘dark sense of humor’? RI man faces charges after delayed flight

Farley pleaded no contest to misdemeanor counts of impersonating a public officer and obstruction and received a one-year suspended sentence with probation. 

Farley was taken to the Adult Correctional Institutions, where he was found to be in possession of three baggies of cocaine wrapped in U.S. currency, according to the affidavit. He later admitted to one felony count of possession of cocaine, first offense, and was sentenced to two years’ probation. He also admitted violating his probation, for which he received two years in prison, with nine months to serve and 15 months suspended.

What authorities say they found

Jaffe learned through the Postal Service that since last Dec. 16, packages from various firearm or firearm parts sellers had been delivered to Farley’s address, the affidavit said. 

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Almond signed off on a warrant for authorities to search the home Farley shares with his parents and his Audi. The search was executed Wednesday.

Inside the home, authorities alleged that they found three 9 mm Glock ghost guns; one Sig Sauer-type ghost gun; one .22 Glock-style ghost gun; a ghost AR-15 platform; an AR-15 rifle, believed to be automatic; a suspected fully automatic machine gun; and two ghost short-barrel rifles, as well as 32 magazines and 11 silencers, according to the affidavit.

Two firearm magazines were seized from his car, authorities said.



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Rhode Island

RI State Police investigating inmate death at ACI

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RI State Police investigating inmate death at ACI


CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — An inmate death at the Adult Correctional Institution’s Intake Service Center on Friday is being investigated by Rhode Island State Police.

J.R. Ventura, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC), said the inmate’s roommate notified staff shortly after 4 p.m. that he required medical attention.

According to Ventura, life-saving steps were initiated after the arrived staff saw the inmate wasn’t responding.

Cranston Fire Department was called and brought the inmate to Kent County Hospital, who was later pronounced dead.

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RIDOC’s Investigative Unit is also investigating the death alongside State Police.



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Tornado, 75 Mph Winds, Ping Pong Ball-Sized Hail Possible Sunday In RI

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Tornado, 75 Mph Winds, Ping Pong Ball-Sized Hail Possible Sunday In RI


RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island is forecast to be battered by storms Sunday, which are expected to bring heavy winds, and possibly hail and a tornado.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch around 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. for the state, warning of frequent lightning, likely wind gusts up to 75 mph and isolated hail as large as ping pong balls.

“Areal coverage of storms will increase this afternoon with damaging wind the primary threat, but large hail and an isolated tornado is also possible,” the service said in a social media post.

The storms are expected to hit between 2-10 p.m., according to the service. The watch also affects Connecticut, and parts of Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvannia, New Jersey and Delaware. Isolated flash flooding was projected to possibly occur more broadly between New England and the Southeast.

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Heading to the beach in RI? Here’s how to check parking availability online

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Heading to the beach in RI? Here’s how to check parking availability online



It’s not fun to arrive at your favorite beach only to find it packed. Thankfully, state and some local beaches post updates online on parking availability

PROVIDENCE – On June 19, the federal holiday Juneteenth, many Rhode Islanders had a rude awakening when they arrived at their favorite beach to find it packed. Traffic was backed up, and many parking lots were full before noon, according to news reports.

There’s only so much you can do when thousands decide to go to the beach on the same day, but one thing you can usually account for is whether parking is available. Many beaches – both state and town-managed – post updates on parking status, letting visitors know if there is space in their lots.

Here’s a handy guide for checking if parking lots at your favorite beaches are full:

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How to check parking at state beaches

The State Parks division at Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management keeps a near real-time status of parking lots at the following state beaches:

  • East Matunuck State Beach
  • Misquamicut State Beach
  • Roger Wheeler State Beach
  • Scarborough North State Beach (including overflow lot)
  • Scarborough South State Beach

Parking passes are required at state beaches during operational hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Purchasing a pass in advance helps reduce traffic, as well as waiting time at the ticket booth, and gives you access to express lanes available at most state beaches, as passes now use vehicles’ license plates, making it easier and quicker to scan.

More: The votes are in, and this South County spot is selected as RI’s best beach. Find out where

Some beaches, such as East Beach and Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown, have limited parking, and checking availability in advance may not be possible.

How to check parking at Middletown beaches

Middletown posts updates on its Facebook and Instagram accounts when parking lots at its beaches fill up. The town also has a live camera of the parking lot at Sachuest Beach – known locally as Second Beach – where you can check in real time if space is available.

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Seasonal beach passes may be required to park at Middletown’s beaches. They are available in person at the gazebo at the intersection of Hanging Rock Road and Sachuest Point Road as well as online. But beware: Online passes will not be available for pickup at the gazebo until 48 hours after purchase.

Parking at other popular beaches

Other popular beaches, such as Narragansett Town Beach, may not post updates online about parking availability. According to Narragansett’s Parks and Recreation Department, during busier days the West Lot – which is open to non-residents – fills up around 11 to 11:30 a.m. Only residents can park in the North and South Lots – except on weekdays after 1 p.m., when the South Lot is open to non-residents. These lots usually have spaces available unless it is a very busy holiday.

Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seasonal parking passes are $50 per sticker, and a photo ID, vehicle registration and proof of residence or taxpayer status is required. West Lot parking rates are $15 on weekends and holidays and $10 on weekdays.

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This story will be updated with more information about parking availability.





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