E. Providence city worker accused of stalking

February 21, 2018 11:34 am

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The East Providence city worker accused of stalking another woman appeared before a judge Wednesday.

Leah Stoddard, 37, is charged with stalking, installing an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit those acts. The stalking charge is a felony. No pleas were entered.

On January 2, a woman told East Providence Police she found a GPS tracking device under her car, according to court documents. Its serial number traced back to Stoddard.

The woman also told police her ex-boyfriend, John Mitchell, showed up to bars she happened to be at twice, saying both times he was with Stoddard. Mitchell is charged as a co-conspirator.

This is not Stoddard’s first issue with following other electronically. In 2010, she put a tracker on her laptop to see if her then-husband was being unfaithful. She was never charged in that case and the matter was eventually settled in court.

Stoddard was released on $1,000 personal recognizance. She is due back in court May 16. She is on paid administrative leave from her city job through March 2, pending the ongoing police investigation.