Hills man facing theft, sexual abuse charges

A Hills man is facing several charges, including first-degree theft and third-degree sexual abuse following incidents which allegedly took place in 2008.

According to police reports, Marshall Miller, 24, 120 N. 3rd Street, Hills, faces charges of first-degree theft, forgery and insurance fraud presenting false information, which are all felonies. He also faces a malicious prosecution charge, a serious misdemeanor, after stealing a skid loader and then reporting it stolen.

In October 2008, Miller was working as a sub-contractor at Dolphin Lake Point Enclave, 2401 Highway 6 E, Iowa City, when he allegedly stole a John Deere skid loader. Police said Miller had been using the skid loader, which had been sitting on the property.

Police said Miller took the skid loader to his parents' house and told them it was the same machine as one that had been seized from him by the Washington County Sheriff's office in March 2008. He allegedly told them he had attained the loader legally and it was to be used for his parents' business. Miller's parents then obtained insurance on the loader.

When the owner of the skid loader came to Dolphin Lake Point Enclave to reclaim the equipment, it was discovered missing. The staff knew Miller had been using the loader and assisted the actual owner in contacting Miller. After Miller was contacted, he denied having the loader, but then changed his story and claimed an employee picked up the loader by accident. The owner of the loader was then able to go to Miller's residence and claim his property.

The following day, Miller reported the stolen to the Iowa City Police Department. He told police he believed the the loader was rightfully his and that he had purchased the equipment from an acquaintance. Police said Miller then provided them with a false purchase agreement between he and the acquaintance, saying he had purchased the skid loader for $16,500. Police said the acquaintance later met with police and told them the bill of sale was a forgery.

Miller faces an additional first-degree theft charge after allegedly stealing a separate vehicle in June 2008. Police said the car was for sale in the parking lot of Walmart Supercenter at 2801 Commerce Drive in Coralville. Miller allegedly took the vehicle and sold it to another individual after having new keys made for the car.

Miller also faces a third-degree sexual abuse charge for an incident which took place in January 2008. Miller is accused of committing a sexual act with a 15-year-old when he was six years older than the victim. Miller allegedly admitted to having intercourse with the woman during a taped phone conversation, police said.

According to the Johnson County Sherrif's office, Miller was apprehended in Florida and returned Friday to the Johnson County Jail.

He is being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $10,000 cash only bond for failing to appear in court for a pre-trial conference. In addition to the cash only bond, he is also being held on a $72,500 cash surety bond for two counts of first-degree theft, third-degree sexual abuse, forgery and insurance fraud.