WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Trooper Accused of Sexual Abuse (North Stonington-WTNH) _ People expect to feel safe and secure around police officers. But a Connecticut State Trooper is accused of violating that trust. A North Stonington woman says Trooper Joseph Miller came to her house while on duty and allegedly attacked her. It's an accusation that's being taken seriously by police, but people who know the trooper believe he's innocent. News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports. Joseph Miller has been a state trooper for 12 years. The last seven he's spent as a resident trooper in North Stonington. People here know him as a hard working, dedicated officer. Bill Egner, No. Stonington: "Miller couldn't be better, the times I've talked to him he was polite, courteous, and extremely professional." In fact Miller has a great record. He was the Montville barracks 'Trooper of the Year' in 1998. He's also been widely praised for exceptional service to the town. Now Miller is facing some very serious accusations. A woman in North Stonington who hasn't been identified says Trooper Miller showed up at her house one night unannounced. She says he was on duty and allegedly proceeded to sexually assault her. Trooper Miller has been assigned to desk duty at Troop-E while investigators check out the woman's claims. People who know Miller have serious doubts about her story. Mary Ellen Lewis, No. Stonington: "That is hard to believe, that doesn't sound like him at all. You see him, maybe you get pulled over get a ticket, but he's not really an aggressive type of guy." Only one person we spoke to today had anything bad to say about Trooper Miller. Sandy Schroeder, No. Stonington: "He was not very pleasant to us, not very nice, he was very pushy, very arrogant, I believe he has a bad temper." Bad temper or not, most people here say Miller is innocent until proven guilty. And some are confident that he'll be cleared. Elizabeth Haddad, No. Stonington: "Being here all these years, doing good for the town, it wouldn't make sense to go and do something like that." Peter: "You don't believe it?" "I don't believe it. I don't believe he did anything." State police officials say they can't comment on this case or any of the specifics because it is an active investigation. Once that inquiry is complete the information will be forwarded to prosecutors in New London who'll decide what charges, if any, should be filed. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Trooper Accused of Sexual Abuse
(North Stonington-WTNH) _ People expect to feel safe and secure around police officers. But a Connecticut State Trooper is accused of violating that trust. A North Stonington woman says Trooper Joseph Miller came to her house while on duty and allegedly attacked her. It's an accusation that's being taken seriously by police, but people who know the trooper believe he's innocent.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.

Miller Joseph Miller has been a state trooper for 12 years. The last seven he's spent as a resident trooper in North Stonington. People here know him as a hard working, dedicated officer.

Bill Egner, No. Stonington: "Miller couldn't be better, the times I've talked to him he was polite, courteous, and extremely professional."

In fact Miller has a great record. He was the Montville barracks 'Trooper of the Year' in 1998. He's also been widely praised for exceptional service to the town. Now Miller is facing some very serious accusations. A woman in North Stonington who hasn't been identified says Trooper Miller showed up at her house one night unannounced. She says he was on duty and allegedly proceeded to sexually assault her.

Trooper Miller has been assigned to desk duty at Troop-E while investigators check out the woman's claims. People who know Miller have serious doubts about her story.

Mary Ellen Lewis, No. Stonington: "That is hard to believe, that doesn't sound like him at all. You see him, maybe you get pulled over get a ticket, but he's not really an aggressive type of guy."

Only one person we spoke to today had anything bad to say about Trooper Miller.

Sandy Schroeder, No. Stonington: "He was not very pleasant to us, not very nice, he was very pushy, very arrogant, I believe he has a bad temper."

Bad temper or not, most people here say Miller is innocent until proven guilty. And some are confident that he'll be cleared.

Elizabeth Haddad, No. Stonington: "Being here all these years, doing good for the town, it wouldn't make sense to go and do something like that."
Peter: "You don't believe it?"
"I don't believe it. I don't believe he did anything."

State police officials say they can't comment on this case or any of the specifics because it is an active investigation. Once that inquiry is complete the information will be forwarded to prosecutors in New London who'll decide what charges, if any, should be filed.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.