GOP chair: Miller has resigned from council after being charged with child molestation

Republican Jeff Miller has resigned from the Indianapolis City-County Council after being charged with multiple accounts of child molestation, according to the GOP county chairman.

"Based on the charges filed by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, I have accepted Jeff Miller's resignation from the City-County Council effective Monday, November 20th,” said Jim Merritt, chairman of the Marion County Republican Central Committee.

To fill the seat, the Republican Party will hold a caucus within 30 days of the resignation. Precinct committee members will vote for the next council member.

Miller, 50, was charged Friday with three felony counts of child molesting after two 10-year-old girls told police he inappropriately touched and massaged them at his house. He was booked into the Arrestee Processing Center on Friday.

Miller has been on the council since 2011 and was re-elected in 2015. He is a popular, bipartisan and outspoken member of the council, and is involved in myriad boards and other groups in the city.

The council's minority leader, Mike McQuillen, tweeted that "Councillor Jeff Miller resigning is best for the citizens of the district, the institution of the Council and the people of Indianapolis."

Councillor Jeff Miller resigning is best for the citizens of the district, the institution of the Council, and the people of Indianapolis.

— Michael McQuillen (@mike_mcquillen) November 17, 2017

According to a 14-page affidavit, one of the alleged victims told police that Miller massaged between her legs and patted her on the rear end. She said “Can you stop it?” and several times tried to squirm away. The incident happened as she was watching a movie with a friend at Miller’s house at 558 Fletcher Ave. in Fletcher Place. She also told police that Miller touched her bra while he was massaging her back, and her torso, just below her breasts.

When police asked Miller if the children enjoyed the massages, Miller responded: “It’s fun to know somebody enjoys something. … I’m a giver. I’m a, m-my thing is, uh, there’s a reason I say I’m not a politician. I’m a public servant. I’ve always been … my, my memory verse, literally, is, 'He came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom to many.' It’s just service is a thing for me. But … yeah. So, so yeah. The answer to your question of did you enjoy it? Absolutely.”

When asked if there was any way he was doing it for sexual enjoyment, Miller said: “Lord, I hope not.”