CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND: A state senator from Rhode Island was taken into custody after he allegedly damaged a car that featured a “Biden Sucks” sticker on it. The Democrat has been charged with vandalism for "malicious injury to property" for his alleged actions, which happened at the parking lot of a shopping center on Thursday night, June 22.
The New York Post reported that when the Nissan Pathfinder’s owner confronted Miller after hearing a scratching sound, the 69-year-old rebuffed him. However, the person found a “Re-elect Senator Josh Miller” sticker stuck on Miller’s pick-up truck. “He then looked up Senator Josh Miller on the Internet on his cell phone, which returned a photo of him. He immediately recognized the subject in the photo as the person he suspected of keying his vehicle,” Cranston police shared in a statement.
‘I’m a state senator’
Soon, cops were contacted by the car owner. When the officers questioned the lawmaker about the accusation, he instead called out the victim. Miller reportedly told cops, “He was blocking my way, saying that I scratched his car, I didn’t scratch his car. I’m a state senator, I think he recognized me. I think he’s one of the gun nuts.”
Initially, Miller was allowed to go free by the authorities. However, after checking CCTV footage from the parking lot, which supported the victim’s allegations, police went on to interrogate the Democrat again at his house. At the time, he apparently confessed to doing the damage to the vehicle but asserted that the Nissan’s owner instigated him to do so.
‘I thought he was threatening me’
A cop questioned Miller, “What's the reason to key the car, though, that's the question?” To which, he answered, “Because he was daring me to, basically. The guy started on me as soon as I opened my door.”
However, when the cop told him, “This guy wants to pursue charges. He's upset. I think you're going to cooperate? Why did you key his car? You just got mad and keyed his car? Did he threaten you?” Miller added, “I thought he was threatening me. I took my keys out when he started settling at me. I felt threatened.”
Eventually, Miller was indicted before being released on $1,000 personal surety bond. He, however, will appear in court on July 18 for re-arraignment. A statement by Colonel Michael Winquist said, “Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws. The officers who handled this investigation did so with fairness, integrity, and without preferential treatment.”
Who is Joshua Miller?
According to the State of Rhode Island General Assembly, “Miller is a Democrat representing District 28 (Cranston, Providence) in the Rhode Island Senate,” who was “first elected to the Senate in November 2006”. He is currently the head of the Committee on Health & Human Services.
The website also adds that “Miller was a driving force behind the enactment of legislation providing parity in coverage of mental health and substance use disorders. He championed a package of legislation addressing the mental health system, aimed at improving preventative services and treatment, as well as a package of legislation addressing the opioid overdose crisis.”
