(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Former Rhode Island Councilman Matthew Reilly, who resigned from his position after being caught with a crack pipe, is now facing charges of child molestation involving a 12-year-old little girl.
A local police officer caught Reilly, a Republican who represented the City of Cranston in the City Council, last month while he was in possession of a crack pipe in his car, resulting in drug possession charges being filed against him.
Reilly, 41, resigned in disgrace following the arrest on drug charges. However, he now finds himself embroiled in a new set of criminal charges as the Cranston Police Department arrested him on multiple counts of child molestation, according to The Providence Journal.
The arrest related to the child molestation charges took place after a month-long investigation into disturbing allegations by the legal guardian of the young girl, as announced in a press release by Cranston law enforcement announced on June 8.
“This morning Cranston Police Detectives responded to the Town of North Kingstown and arrested Matthew Reilly, age 41, of 27 Delwood Street, Cranston, RI, on an arrest warrant for the following charges: First Degree Child Molestation, Second Degree Child Molestation and Enticement of a Person Under the Age of 16,” stated Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist.
Winquist said the investigation began on May 7 and was led by the Rhode Island Attorney General. He added, “This investigation is ongoing, and therefore no further details will be released.”
Reilley first gained public condemnation after body camera footage of his arrest surfaced, depicting the then-councilman unconscious in his car and experiencing breathing difficulties.
A bystander alerted the police, reporting a man “literally choking” in his vehicle, according the New York Post. An officer is seen waking Reilly and subsequently questioning him.
“I can’t let you go. You were literally choking in your sleep. Somebody flagged me down about it,” the officer said, to which Reilley responded, “I have sleep apnea, I’m sorry.”
The officer pointed out the crack pipe he discovered in Reilly’s hands. “I have a body camera. Everything I have is recorded. You know that and what I’ve observed is on camera, so I can’t pretend I didn’t […] I obviously have to document it.”
The Journal noted that Reilly served his first term in the City Council before stepping down in disgrace.
Local police has not provided further details regarding the child molestation charges.
