Former Cranston councilor indicted on child molestation charges
by: Leah Crowley, Sarah Doiron
CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — Former Cranston city councilor Matthew Reilly is facing a slew of child molestation charges after the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment on Friday.
The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office says Reilly is charged with two counts of first-degree child molestation, two counts of second-degree child molestation, one count of enticement of a minor child to engage in sexual conduct and one count of simple assault.
The charges stem from alleged acts that happened in Cranston on May 7, 2023. Reilly was taken into custody in June 2023 after the 12-year-old victim’s legal guardian filed a complaint with Cranston Police.
The reported assault happened two weeks before Reilly was arrested for drug possession when an officer discovered him passed out in his car holding a glass pipe and a lighter.
Reilly is set to be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on July 17.