Youth minister charged with sexually assaulting minor

WOOD
November 04, 2014

http://woodtv.com/2014/11/04/youth-minister-charged-with-sexual-assaulting-minor/

William Miller

OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. (WOOD) — A youth minister at two parishes in West Michigan has been arrested and charged with criminal sexual conduct with a young person, according to a statement from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.

William Miller, 61, was serving as a part-time youth minister at St. Catherine Parish in Ravenna, which is in Muskegon County and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Conklin, which is in Ottawa County.

He was arrested on October 28 and arraigned the following day on one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct.

The charges stem from an incident believed to have occurred about 10 years ago, away from church property and unrelated to church activities, the statement from the diocese read. It’s unclear how old the victim was at the time of the alleged incident.

After the diocese heard about the arrest and allegations, Miller was suspended from all ministerial activities.

An announcement was read at Masses at the parishes this past weekend and a letter was sent to parents in parish youth ministry and school programs.

The diocese encourages anyone who believes that they or their child may have been a victim of sexual abuse to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department or Silent Observer.

They may also contact Deb Nykamp, diocesan victim assistance coordinator, who can be reached at 616.243.0491.

Miller is scheduled to make his next court appearance on November 6 followed by a preliminary hearing on November 12.