Miller accepts plea deal, faces Montana charges

BONNERS FERRY — Nathan Miller, 42, accepted a plea agreement on June 9 for lewd conduct with a minor under 16.

The case is presided over by first district judge Barbara Buchanan, who agreed to the plea agreement.

Miller was charged with lewd conduct in January for an incident that prosecutors said took place in 2018 and a second case in August 2016. The victims in both cases are under the age of 18.

Miller was accused of engaging in lewd conduct with the victims, court documents stated.

The initial charges were filed on Jan. 28, 2021, with a probable cause hearing, the arraignment was held March 31 and on April 21, Miller maintained his not guilty plea.

The plea agreement states that Miller will be charged with one count of lewd conduct with a minor, with the sentence to be served concurrently with his Montana sentencing.

According to an article by The Western News, Miller pleaded guilty in mid-May to a single felony count of sexual assault with a minor under the age of 16.

The minor involved recounted waking up to find Miller performing a sexual act on him, court documents said.

A second incident occurred in Miller’s apartment in Montana, according to court records. The minor told authorities that Miller called him into a bedroom and made him hold a phone playing pornography, court documents said.

The youth testified that after the incident, Miller sat down to play video games afterward.

Miller’s sentencing in Lincoln County is scheduled for June 21 with a recommendation by prosecutors for Miller to receive a 45-year sentence with the Montana State Prison with 25 years suspended.

A jury trial was initially scheduled for July 12, but a sentencing hearing will be arranged; no date for sentencing is scheduled as of June 14.