Former Colorado Police Department Officer Indicted for Sexual Assault of Minor

A former police officer with the Loveland, Colorado, Police Department was charged in an indictment unsealed on Friday for sexually assaulting a minor while he was on duty.

According to the indictment, on or about Aug. 4, 2023, Dylan Miller, 28, while on duty as a Loveland Police Department officer, sexually assaulted a minor. If convicted, Miller faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. 

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado and Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek of the FBI Denver Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Denver Field Office, Loveland Resident Agency and Larimer County, Colorado, Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, with cooperation from the Loveland Police Department.

Senior Sex Crimes Counsel Maura White of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Connaughty for the District of Colorado are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Guilty Plea: Ex-Portsmouth Officer Admits Violating Civil Rights in Sexual Assault Case

Former Portsmouth Police Officer, Cleshaun A. Cox, has pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a minor victim by forcibly sexually assaulting her. The disturbing incident occurred on or about May 27, 2019, when Cox, in his official capacity as a police officer, encountered Victim 1, a 17-year-old high school student, during a noise complaint call in Portsmouth, Virginia.

As per court documents, after a senior officer instructed Victim 1 to drive home, Cox secretly followed her in his marked police vehicle. Instructing her to meet him in a parking lot, Cox then drove her to an isolated area where he forced her to engage in sexual intercourse against her will. Shockingly, Cox knew Victim 1's age and was fully aware of her unwillingness to participate in any sexual act.

The case was brought to the attention of the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia, leading to Cox's guilty plea. Jessica D. Aber, the U.S. Attorney, emphasized that police officers have a duty to protect and safeguard the community, especially vulnerable children, and those who abuse their positions to commit such abhorrent acts must be held accountable.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division reinforced the federal government's stance, asserting that law enforcement officials who commit acts of sexual assault and abuse will not be tolerated. The survivors of these heinous crimes will find justice, and accountability will be sought.

Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Norfolk Field Office, condemned Cox's actions, stating that sworn police officers are entrusted with upholding the constitution and protecting the community's safety. Cox's violation of trust and abuse of power have been met with a thorough investigation, highlighting the collaboration between departments and agencies.

Cox is now scheduled for sentencing on November 28, facing a prison term of at least 15 years and up to 20 years, along with five years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

In August 2021, Cox had previously pleaded guilty to charges of carnal knowledge and abduction in Portsmouth Circuit Court, resulting in a 15-year prison sentence, of which 10 years were later suspended by the court.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Rebecca Gantt for the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert of the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and Special Agent Brian Dugan, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Wilson Hanes accepted Cox's plea.

More information on the case and related court documents can be found on the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia's website or by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-84 on PACER.

Arizona Man and U.S. Citizen Residing in Germany Convicted of Sexual Assault

Two men were convicted today following a five-day jury trial in the District of Arizona for the sexual assault of a 17-year-old female in Landstuhl, Germany.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo of the District of Arizona, Special Agent James Boerner of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command (CID), Special Agent in Charge Douglas G. Price of the FBI’s Phoenix Division and Assistant Director in Charge Andrew McCabe of the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office made the announcement.

Joseph S. Martin, 20, of Peoria, Arizona, and Christopher J. Heikkila, 21, a U.S. citizen residing in Weilerbach, Germany, were each convicted of one count of sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact.  The sentencing hearing for Martin and Heikkila is scheduled for Nov. 16, 2015, before U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell of the District of Arizona, who presided over the trial.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on or about Oct. 19, 2013, Martin and Heikkila sexually assaulted a 17-year-old female in Landstuhl while she was incapacitated.  At the time, Martin and Heikkila were employees of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service on Ramstein Air Force Base in Ramstein, Germany, as well as dependents of civilian employees of the military.  The Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act gives U.S. federal courts jurisdiction over felonies committed abroad by certain persons employed by or accompanying the U.S. military.

The trial evidence showed that, beginning on or before Oct. 13, 2013, Martin and Heikkila used social media websites to post comments and exchange a series of messages specifically targeting the victim and planning the sexual assault.  The evidence further demonstrated that two men continued discussing the assault on social media after it occurred.

The case was investigated by Army CID and the FBI’s Phoenix Division and Washington Field Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Christine Duey and Michael Sheckels of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Koehler of the District of Arizona.

Wakpala Man Sentenced in Sexual Assault Case

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Wakpala, South Dakota man charged with sexual abuse with a person incapable of consenting was sentenced on September 17, 2012, by United States District Judge Charles B. Kornmann. Lyle Baker, age 53, was sentenced to 135 months in custody, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

Baker was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 12, 2011, and pled guilty to the charge on June 20, 2012.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place in May 2011 when Baker sexually assaulted a young woman in Wakpala, South Dakota.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson.

Baker was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

Gregory Rider Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on September 11, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, GREGORY RIDER, a 47-year-old resident of Harlem and an enrolled member of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, pled guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. Sentencing has been set for December 17, 2012. He is currently detained.

In an offer of proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danna R. Jackson, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

Between approximately July 1, 2005, and approximately July 1, 2007, RIDER sexually abused a minor at his home located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.

RIDER faces possible penalties of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervision.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Little Eagle Man Sentenced to 108 Months for Sexual Abuse

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Little Eagle, South Dakota man charged with sexual abuse of a person incapable of consenting was sentenced on September 10, 2012, by United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Grady Laine Uses Arrow, age 21, was sentenced to 108 months in custody, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

Uses Arrow was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 13, 2012, and pled guilty to sexual abuse of a person incapable of consenting on June 4, 2012.

The conviction stems from an incident in October 2010 when Uses Arrow sexually assaulted another person at Little Eagle.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson.

Uses Arrow was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals.