Rochester Teen Arrested For Sexual Misconduct With Minor
Staff Report
ROCHESTER — A 19-year old man from Rochester was recently arrested after allegedly having sex with someone underage.
Caleb William Miller, 19, 315 Main St., Rochester, is charged with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, both level 5 felonies; and dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a level 6 felony.
As defined in Indiana Code 35-42-4-9, sexual misconduct with a minor is when a person at least 18 years of age performs or submits to sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct with a child who is at least 14 years of age but less than 16 years of age.
On Feb. 28, a Rochester Police officer spoke with several people at the police department regarding a sexual misconduct report. The group reported that early in the morning, a teenager had snuck out of a residence. When confronted about their whereabouts, the teen said they left to meet with Miller and that they had sexual intercourse.
According to court documents, family members confiscated the teen’s phone and found Facebook messages the teen had with Miller. In the messages, Miller sent inappropriate photos and videos to the teen.
The teen said they became friends with Miller around September 2019 and met Miller through school. At one point, they started dating. The teen said when they went to a library with Miller, he begged the teen to come to his house. However, the teen said they didn’t want to because they knew it would lead to sex.
The teen said they eventually gave in to Miller’s request and went to his house to have sex. The teen said this happened in 2020 when Miller was 18 years old.
The teen told the officer they later broke up due to Miller telling people at work about them having sex. The teen said they had not had any contact with Miller until a few months ago when Miller added them as a friend on Facebook. Conversations became sexual in nature.
The teen said Miller sent inappropriate pictures to them. When asked about the Feb. 28 incident, the teen said the two engaged in sexual conduct in Miller’s truck.
The teen said they and Miller were not in an ongoing relationship but that they were more like friends with benefits. The teen also said that Miller was dating someone else and that Miller was aware of the teen’s age.
Rochester Police officers contacted a forensic department in Mishawaka to perform a sexual assault examination on the teen. After the teen left, officers found Miller at a local gas station and brought him to the police department for interviewing.
Before the interview began, officers asked Miller if he knew why he was at the police department. Miller said he knew it was related to him having sex with the teen on Feb. 28. Miller admitted to previously engaging in sexual behavior with the teen at his residence, but said that occurred when he was 17 and the teen was 14. He also admitted to sending inappropriate videos and photographs to the teen.
Miller and the teen’s cellphones were submitted as evidence to officers. While reviewing Facebook conversations between Miller and the teen, officers found Miller had sent several inappropriate photos to the teen. In the messages, Miller asked the teen for nude photos several times. Officers also found messages where the teen tells Miller to stop trying to get with them since they’re only 14 years old, but Miller states “he can hang out with who he wants.”
Miller was booked in the Fulton County Jail on Feb. 28. An October jury trial is scheduled in this case.