Dozens protest sex offender Richard Gardner moving to Lincoln

By: Brittany Comak

Email: bcomak@abc6.com

Twitter: @BComakABC6

LINCOLN, R.I. (WLNE) – More than 50 people protested Wednesday night outside what they believe to be the new home of convicted sex offender Richard Gardner in Lincoln.

“We want him to know that he isn’t welcome here,” said 17-year-old Hunter Guibeau.

Lincoln police confirmed to ABC 6 last week that he is now registered with them as a sex offender living in the Town of Lincoln.

Neighbors heard through the grapevine that his new home may be on Knowles Street, which is where they gathered to protest.

Gardner served thirty years for kidnapping and brutally raping children in Rhode Island and Massachusetts during the 1980s.

He was most recently living in Cranston where officers recently searched his home after they were tipped off that there was child pornography inside. That investigation is still ongoing.

“It’s disturbing. I don’t want him anywhere near us,” said Guibeau.

Residents said Wednesday night that they were upset they were not made aware of his exact address. That’s because his crimes predate Megan’s Law, which requires sex offenders’ addresses to be made public.

“Whether you precept the Megan’s Law or not, that you are not able to live in a community on a street with ten children?!” resident Serena Guibeau said incredulously. “You can’t be next to a school, yet you can live on my dead-end street? That makes no sense.”

As neighbors shouted outside the home Wednesday night, they also signed petitions to change that law, and also to expand the law the keeps sex offenders away from schools.

“He should not be able to live within inches of a bus stop! Or across the street or next door to children!” said resident Lisa Barry. “My 11–year–old nephew is afraid to step foot out of his door. Absolutely unacceptable and things need to change.”

ABC 6 knocked on the door of the home to see if anyone wanted to comment, but no one answered.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019