Victim speaks about traumatic GPS tracking by E. Providence city worker, ex-boyfriend

Just days after a year-long legal fight came to an end involving a crazed ex-boyfriend, an East Providence city worker, and a GPS tracking device on a car, the victim is speaking about how she handled the unsettling and disturbing time in her life.

John Mitchell and Leah Stoddard were sentenced to one-year probation Wednesday for illegally using a sophisticated GPS tracking device on Mitchell’s ex-girlfriend’s car to follow her around town.

The East Providence woman is a state worker and didn’t want to be identified because of her job.

She said the experience has scarred her but is taking it day by day, trying to move on from the traumatic episode.

“I’m always looking out my rearview mirror,” she said. “I don’t really trust people, especially now romantically.”

Court documents revealed that Stoddard, an East Providence city worker, teamed up with Mitchell to place the tracking device on her car. 

She said on several occasions, after breaking it off with Mitchell, she kept running into the pair around town. She said Stoddard and her had problems involving an ex-boyfriend with the East Providence Fire Department.

“They showed up places where I was out with friends. It’s late at night, it’s dark out, they’re hiding in a parking lot,” the woman said. “I just didn’t know what they were capable of.”

She knew something wasn’t right, and due to a pending restraining order against Mitchell, she believed it was more than just a coincidence. She took her car to a Pawtucket mechanic and it turned out there was a GPS tracking device on her car that was linked back to Stoddard and Mitchell.

“[I] kind of teared up. I remember my heart was pounding out of my chest,” she said.. “There were so many different emotions going through me.”

The problem now for the woman is that Stoddard is still an East Providence city employee. She said it’s unfair that if she needs to head to City Hall, she runs the risk of running into Stoddard, who is currently under a no-contact order with the victim. 

“I shouldn’t have to feel that I’m at the wrong [sic]. I’m the victim. I should be able to stay here,” the victim said. “I think the city really needs to reconsider her position.

ABC 6 reached out to the mayor’s office. A spokesperson said it’s a personnel matter and they are unable to comment.