Penticton city councillor charged with historical youth sex crimes

A Penticton city councillor has been arrested and charged with historical sexual offences against a youthin Ontario.

The Sarnia Police Service has charged James Miller, 59,with two counts of sexual interference and two counts of sexual assault on a person under the age of 16 related to incidents in 1989.

"Earlier this year, the Sarnia Police Service Criminal Investigations Division received a complaint regarding historical sexual offences [in 1989]," the Sarnia police said in a statement.

"These offences occurred during a period when the accused volunteered as a youth basketball coach. The victim, now an adult, was a young person at the time."

Penticton RCMP executed a Canada-wide warrant and arrested Miller on Thursday morning.

Heappearedby video in a Sarniacourtroom. According to Sarnianews reports, Millerwas granted release on $1,000 bail.

Miller, who is also the managing editor of the Penticton Herald newspaper, was elected a Pentictoncity councillor in a 2021 byelection and re-elected to a full term in 2022.

Last July, Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield askedhim to step aside from public events on behalf of the citywhen reports arose of earlier criminal charges.

Court records and media reportsrevealedMiller was charged and acquitted of similar offences in Sarniain 2005.

He was reinstated after a city staff investigation and report.

The City of Penticton says Miller hasbeen placed on a leave of absence.

Under B.C's Community Charter,which sets out the basic rules and legal guidelines forlocal governments, the suspension is mandatorywhen any B.C. elected municipal official is facing criminal charges,

"As this matter is before the courts, and out of respect for all parties involved, no further comment will be provided," the city said in a written statement.