A Democrat state senator for Rhode Island was arrested after admitting to keying someone else’s vehicle Thursday.
Joshua Miller, who has served as state senator for Rhode Island’s 28th district since 2007, was charged with a vandalism/malicious injury to property misdemeanor for allegedly keying an SUV with a “Biden sucks” sticker on the back.
The vehicle’s owner told police that he and a passenger were walking back to his car when they heard a scratching sound and saw a man, whom he later identified to be Miller, standing near the car with keys in his hand. After seeing the scratch, the owner said he asked Miller if he was responsible for the damage, and Miller denied the accusation and walked away.
According to body cam footage released by the Cranston Police Department, police tracked Miller down approximately two hours after the incident. During the exchange, Miller denied keying the car and said he had suspected the vehicle’s owner of being one of the “gun nuts” that he alleges have been stalking and threatening him at the State House.
Police released Miller, but confronted him again that night after review of the available surveillance footage corroborated the victim’s account of the events. At that point, Miller admitted to keying the SUV, but alleged that he only did so because the vehicle owner was already “threatening” and “screaming” at him.
Miller also told police to ask Col. Michael Winquist to confirm that he had been receiving threats from “gun nuts.” In a statement from the police department, Winquist denied that Miller had ever reported any such incidents to him or other members of the Cranston Police Department.
“Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws,” Winquist said in the release. “The officers who handled this investigation did so with fairness, integrity, and without preferential treatment.”
Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers responded to the incident on social media, calling for Miller’s resignation.
“This behavior is unbecoming of anyone holding a leadership position,” Powers said. “State Senator Joshua Miller has proven once again the (sic) he does not have the composure required to represent every constituent in his district and must resign immediately.”
This behavior is unbecoming of anyone holding a leadership position. State Senator Joshua Miller has proven once again the he does not have the composure required to represent every constituent in his district and must resign immediately. https://t.co/MZdKqm13kT
— Joe Powers (@RIGOPChairman) June 23, 2023
After being charged, Miller was released on $1,000 personal recognizance following his arraignment. He is scheduled to return to court on July 18.
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