A Volusia County grand jury has declined to indict former Holly Hill Police Chief Jeff Miller , who resigned from the department earlier this year, along with other ranking officers, amid allegations of sexual harassment directed at female department members.
The grand jury heard testimony regarding allegations by female department members of battery and indecent exposure against Miller, wrote Miller’s defense attorney Michael Lambert in an email.
Miller voluntarily appeared before the grand jury and was questioned by the State Attorney’s Office and grand jurors, Lambert wrote.
“The grand jury returned a ‘no true bill’ regarding the allegations,” Lambert wrote, meaning no charges will be filed against Miller.
Lambert said those were the only allegations that “survived scrutiny” by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office to be presented to the grand jury.
“He is relieved that this lengthy process is finally and positively determined. His life has been substantially altered because of the many unsubstantiated allegations that were initially made against him, published in all forms of the media,” Lambert wrote. “He understands harboring animus does nothing but waste time that otherwise could be channeled to a productive, positive goal.”
The grand jury considered the following charges against Miller and declined to indict: two counts of unlawful exposure of sexual organs; one count of committing unnatural and lascivious act; and one count of battery, according to a redacted copy of the interim presentment provided by the State Attorney's Office.
Women's attorney: Civil process will reveal sexual harassment
Attorney Kelly Chanfrau, of Chanfrau & Chanfrau, represents three women from the Holly Hill Police Department.
“I have no comment at this time about the decision of the grand jury not to indict Chief Miller,” Chanfrau stated in a brief interview. “In time, the sexual harassment my clients and others endured will be revealed through the civil process. And in the meantime, we encourage everyone to read the IA report completed by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office .”
Holly Hill Police Chief Byron K. Williams issued a statement about the no true bill.
“We respect the decision of the grand jury regarding the review of charges against Jeff Miller,” Williams stated.
Williams expressed the police department’s “sincere gratitude” to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.
“Their professionalism and commitment to justice have been instrumental, and we fully support their findings,” Williams wrote.
He added: “We will continue to work tirelessly to provide the highest level of service, foster safety, and ensure transparency in all that we do.”
Miller gives up law enforcement certificate, attorney said
Lambert wrote that Miller “has no desire to attempt a return to law enforcement at any time or to any position.”
"Miller voluntarily relinquished his law enforcement certificate,” Lambert wrote.
Lambert said that Miller has also had some personal grief with the unexpected passing of his mother, who was buried Monday.
“Though perhaps the genesis of these complaints, civil suits will persist, as will his now fortified denial of these allegations,” Lambert wrote.
Investigation: Female officer says Miller asked her to perform sex act
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office internal affairs report, a female police officer said that in 2008 Miller exposed himself to her and repeatedly asked her to perform a sex act on him. Miller was an investigator at the time.
During an interview with FDLE, Miller admitted to some sexual misconduct but denied the "egregious allegations" made by two people. Miller admitted to groping several women in the form of tickling but said the women reciprocated. He admitted to asking to see his subordinate's breast but said it was done in a joking manner.
Miller resigned March 15 after as the department was being investigated for allegations of sexual harassment. Capt. Chris Yates resigned May 23. Sgt. Shannon Fountain submitted his resignation June 12. Sgt. Thomas Bentley was demoted from sergeant to master patrol officer in June.
The sheriff's office internal affairs investigation found that the Holly Hill Police Department leadership "fostered an atmosphere of sexual innuendos, objectifying women and sexually explicit horseplay."
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Grand jury declines to indict ex-Holly Hill police chief accused of indecent exposure
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