Hyrum man arrested for allegedly raping teenage girl for years

LOGAN — A 44-year-old Hyrum man has been arrested for allegedly grooming a teenage girl to have an ongoing sexual relationship with him from 2009 to 2013. Ernest “Ernie” G. Miller was booked into the Cache County Jail Tuesday afternoon and was later charged with 21 felonies.

According to the arrest report, Logan City Police officers began investigating Miller after the alleged victim reported being sexually abused for years from the time she was 12-years-old into adulthood. The girl is more than 19 years younger than the suspect, who was described as a family friend.

The woman described multiple times she was groped, molested and later raped by Miller. She said that she was originally very nervous because she had a crush on the suspect.

As the incidents continued, the girl became pregnant when she was 17-years-old. The alleged victim said Miller knew about this and drove her to Salt Lake City to have an abortion. Medical records were later obtained and confirmed the procedure.

In addition, the woman who is now 24-year-old, told officers how Miller would take sexually explicit photographs and videos of her while she was still underage. She claimed he would do this on his cellphones that he kept locked in a safe at his business.

As part of their investigation, officers interviewed several of the alleged victim’s family members and friends. They corroborated her story, explaining that she spent a lot of time with Miller and became “weird” in high school, avoiding relationships with other males her age.

Tuesday, police obtained a search warrant and took Miller into custody. They reportedly located several cellphones inside a safe as the alleged victim had described. The phones were seized as evidence to be analyzed further.

Police questioned Miller, who reportedly admitted to spending time with the alleged victim but denied having any sexual or romantic involvement with the girl while she was a minor.

Miller was arraigned during a virtual hearing in 1st District Court Wednesday afternoon, appearing by web conference from jail. He was charged with rape of a child, two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of sodomy on a child, all first-degree felonies; along with six counts of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony; and 10 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16 or 17-year-old, a third-degree felony.

Defense attorney Shannon Demler asked the court to allow his client bail. He claimed, Miller had lived in the community his whole life and didn’t have any other criminal history.

Cache County Deputy Attorney Andrew Crane opposed Demler’s request for bail. He said the suspect posed a danger to the alleged victim.

Judge Brian Cannell ordered Miller to be held without bail and said he was also concerned that the suspect could flee the area if released. He scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 22, when prosecutors will present their evidence in the case.

Miller sat quietly during the 10 minute hearing. He was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim or other witnesses in the case. He could face up to life in prison if convicted.

Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.


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19 Comments

  • mayci felt December 8, 2021 at 4:17 pm Reply

    this information is not correct, you should get the facts before putting people on blast.

    • AKH December 8, 2021 at 9:21 pm Reply

      What part of it is incorrect? Genuinely curious.

    • Bo December 9, 2021 at 7:09 am Reply

      Which information is incorrect, if you don’t mind my asking?

      • EGM December 9, 2021 at 6:07 pm Reply

        First and foremost I’m sure the judge Wouldn’t hold him with no opportunity to bail out if the Chargers didn’t have some sort of merit to them. Second of all the victim states that there was cell phones locked in his safe, which there were. As soon as the evidence comes off the phones he will get what he deserves. Anyone that has sexual contact with a minor or for that matter sodomy, should be locked away forever.. karma,that’s all I can say is karma..

      • Sharon Hill December 15, 2021 at 6:42 pm Reply

        This is 100% correct. And just a tiny insight into how many lives he completely ruined and even took. He is a disgusting pig and deserves to rot in prison. That’s where he belongs.

      • Bookofquestions January 16, 2022 at 11:21 am Reply

        It shouldn’t be okay to post this article and let this girl get away with this elaborate made up story when there is no evidence. What is going to stop any other girl from making stuff up about other men out of jealousy and revenge?

        • Justice for the girls February 19, 2022 at 4:21 pm Reply

          Why is it that people are trying to justify what this man has done to innocent children, it’s not just one female it’s multiple females, the same that is done by being raped apparently can’t be comprehended by those that have never been victim to it. The question you should all be asking yourself is “what if this was YOUR little girl”…. If your daughter came to you and told you what a man did to them would you even question the truth. Imagine what these women are now dealing with and the families and the fathers of these girls…. I hope these girls can find themselves again and recover and not deal with the PTSD that comes from these actions

  • Jesse Miller December 9, 2021 at 10:14 am Reply

    What she’s saying is so far all we’ve got is he said she said with nothing else to go off, so maybe take it down a notch and wait for the evidence or lack thereof to be brought up before you write things that cause irreversible damage to a person’s reputation and name.

  • Jessica Miller December 9, 2021 at 12:29 pm Reply

    Everyone has a right to be treated as the law clearly states “innocent until proven guilty.”
    Every story, wether you agree with it or not, has two sides!

  • Blayne December 9, 2021 at 12:41 pm Reply

    Sounds like a real piece of work. Enjoy life in prison, dummy.

  • Jaden Miller December 9, 2021 at 3:54 pm Reply

    I will agree that the saying “innocent until proven guilty” is true said substantial evidence shall be presented nonetheless we should not jump to conclusions until said evidence is presented only time will tell. And time shall heal all wounds when it’s right.

  • Kramerer December 9, 2021 at 4:22 pm Reply

    I have always liked Ernie, hopefully these aligations are not true! Innocent until proven guilty.. good luck Ernie 👍

  • DRIFTER December 9, 2021 at 5:26 pm Reply

    WELL…I KNIOW SOME FACTS… THE victim has tried this b4… and her father has pyro. and a plethora of other issues…and tried to burn not one, but two, Walmarts because ” The service was unacceptable” he told me. … what a wonderful logic and figure?, And she known by many of us men, as money hungery , vindictive, and a compulsive liar. Perhaps when she is proved a liar( she should enjoy life in prison. )…
    Folks…. what took her so long, is the real question??? why just now… Maybe she didn’t like rejection? WE WILL SEE WONT WE..

    • Not wondering September 3, 2022 at 1:57 pm Reply

      Only a entitled fool like you mark would say something like that… You have always thought you were above the law.. blatantly breaking the law whenever you please.. with no more thought than most people give to drinking a glass of water when caught your money bails you out…. Everyone including you knows your infidel son is guilty… We’ve known it for 12 years.. Ernie has ruined the girl’s life and destroyed their family and there you sit in your big chair bashing them making up lies about them you’re pathetic ..,I don’t think you can buy your way out of this one Miller it has finally caught up to him I’m glad Justice will be served my prayers have been answered

      • JFM September 23, 2022 at 7:44 am Reply

        Boy you sound like “Mark’s” biggest fan 😂 if I can get you a pair of his underwear how much would you pay for em? You are really obsessed 😂

        • Moroni's roommate September 28, 2022 at 7:06 pm Reply

          Are you drunk or high?

  • War hero K December 10, 2021 at 5:00 pm Reply

    I often feel that my spoon is to big in the morning.

  • KJ December 10, 2021 at 6:00 pm Reply

    Inappropriate pictures of a girl 19 years younger and a verified abortion when she was 17 does not sound like an innocent relationship. But, the vilification of the woman and her family has already started in the comments. Sad.

  • To the end December 13, 2021 at 9:11 pm Reply

    I think all of you that don’t know the person should shut your mouth. I pity those of you that think your even relevant to make comments on someone you don’t even know . truth is that these accusations are not real . If you believe everything you hear then your pretty much the dumbest human to exist just because it’s a girl blaming a guy you guys automatically assume she’s the victim . Just sad and wrong . If you knew him you would know this is all a bunch of crap and if you don’t have something decent to say just keep in to yourself your talking about a life here someones son someones dad someones brother someones friend . And frankly we need less of you people in this world because your the ones that think your above everyone and entitled. Sure have your opinion but honestly I think less of a person who had the nerve to speak so freely about people you don’t even know I hope one day you don’t end up in a spot that you want anyone to care cuz noone will .

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