A deeply disturbing chapter is unfolding in Providence, Rhode Island, as a man with a history of horrific crimes has announced his candidacy for mayor. Michael English, 54, a convicted child molester, is seeking the city’s highest office, bringing with him a past that has resurfaced to shock and outrage the community.
The details of English’s crimes are harrowing. In 1997, when he was 26 years old, he engaged in multiple sexual acts with a 13-year-old girl. The following year, he pleaded no contest to charges including first-degree child molestation and sexual assault, acknowledging his guilt without formally admitting it in court.
Despite the severity of the offenses, English received a remarkably lenient sentence. While prosecutors sought a substantial prison term, he was sentenced to 20 years with almost all of it suspended, ultimately serving just 15 months due to good behavior credits. This outcome sparked criticism, highlighting the disparities in sentencing at the time.
The nightmare didn’t end there. Years later, in 2009, English violated a no-contact order with the same victim, driving to her home and attempting to re-establish contact. This brazen act resulted in another conviction and a 19-month prison sentence, with English claiming the encounter was merely coincidental.
Adding to the complexity, English is no longer listed on Rhode Island’s public sex offender registry. His conviction predated stricter registration laws, and a court ruling limited his registration requirement to a decade. This loophole has fueled concerns about public safety and transparency.
Now, English is presenting himself as a reformed individual, pointing to educational achievements earned while incarcerated. He dismisses the idea that his past should disqualify him from leadership, arguing that his subsequent actions demonstrate his rehabilitation. He claims those who disagree are simply “wrong.”
His campaign platform focuses on protecting vulnerable citizens and addressing issues like policing and education. The irony of this stance, given his own history, is not lost on those who are aware of his past. He boldly asserts that he has risen “from nothing to something,” suggesting his personal transformation should be the focus.
The emergence of English as a mayoral candidate has ignited a fierce debate about redemption, accountability, and the safety of the community. It forces a difficult conversation about whether a past filled with such profound harm can ever be truly overcome, and whether such a person should be entrusted with the power to lead a city.
