Had worked with Triad Youth Wrestling
An area man and former youth wrestling coach could be facing life in prison for allegedly raping underage boys.
The Champaign County Grand Jury has indicted Ronald Wayne Miller, 50, of 16650 Church St., New Dover, charging him with seven counts of rape, nine counts of gross sexual imposition and 18 counts of sexual battery. Each of the 34 counts carries a specification that Miller is a sexually violent predator.
MILLER
A man, who did not want to give his name but identified himself as the administrator of Triad Youth Wrestling, confirmed that Miller had been a coach with the organization, but said he was no longer involved and hadn’t been for at least three years.
In January, investigators with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office spoke with a woman about her 11-year-old son. According to court documents, the boy told his mother that, “Ronald Miller had touched him in a sexual manner.”
The boy was interviewed by investigators from the Champaign County Department of Job and Family Services. He told investigators that Miller had performed a variety of sexual activities with him.
According to court documents, after several occasions, all of which happened between Jan. 1 2020, and Jan. 4, 2021, “Ronald Miller told him ‘not to tell anybody.’”
The woman told investigators that she spoke with Miller who admitted to several of the allegations.
As investigators continued to look into the case, they were able to identify at least one other victim. According to court documents, Miller allegedly began abusing that child in 2008 when he was 9 years old. The abuse allegedly continued for more than a decade. According to court documents, Miller was in a position of trust to be protecting the child at the time of the alleged abuse.
Prosecutors allege that Miller is a violent sexual predator and that he is likely to do it again.
If convicted on any of the rape charges, Miller could be sentenced to life in prison.
At his arraignment hearing, Miller pleaded not guilty. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is set to appear in court next in March.
Miller is currently being held at the Tri-County Regional Jail in Mechanicsburg. His bond has been set at $30,000. If released, Miller will need to be fitted with a GPS monitoring device.
Additionally, he will be prohibited from any contact with the boy, his mother or any minor.