A shadow has fallen over the upcoming mayoral race in Providence, Rhode Island. A candidate, Michael English, has entered the contest with a past shrouded in disturbing secrecy – a documented history of heinous crimes against a child.
The race, previously focused on incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley and state Rep. David Morales, now includes this lesser-known challenger. But English is far from a typical political newcomer; he is a convicted child molester, a fact only recently coming to light.
In 1998, English pleaded no contest to multiple charges stemming from sexual acts with a 13-year-old girl. The abuse occurred over several months, with encounters taking place in various locations across northern Rhode Island, including a local shopping mall.
Prosecutors initially sought a 40-year sentence, a testament to the severity of his crimes. However, a judge imposed a 20-year sentence with the vast majority suspended, resulting in a shockingly brief 15-month incarceration.
The story doesn’t end there. Years later, in 2009, English brazenly violated a court-ordered no-contact order, driving to the victim’s home and attempting to re-establish contact. This act of defiance led to another conviction and nearly two more years in prison.
Remarkably, English is no longer listed on the Rhode Island Sex Offender Registry. A court ruling limited his registration to ten years, a requirement that expired in 2007, allowing him to seemingly disappear from public record.
Adding to the unsettling nature of this case, English’s criminal file was effectively hidden from public view. A peculiar court policy, based on the date of the initial offense, rendered the entire case “confidential,” shielding it from scrutiny for decades.
English, now 54, acknowledged his time in prison during a campaign announcement, dismissing his past as “immature decisions.” He failed to reveal the full extent of his crimes – the four felony counts, including multiple charges of child molestation and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
He now argues that his past should not disqualify him from public office, claiming he has since turned his life around. He points to educational achievements attained while incarcerated and after his release, including degrees in ministry and business.
English frames his candidacy as a challenge to the frontrunners, asserting a deeper understanding of Rhode Island and its people. He believes he represents a path from “nothing to something,” a narrative that starkly contrasts with the darkness of his past.
