Mt. Pleasant man arrested for Enticing a Minor in Des Moines

DES MOINES — The afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 21 authorities in Des Moines arrested Paul Wesley Miller, 48, of Mt. Pleasant on a charge of Enticing a Minor under 16 — Sexual Purposes.

  Buy Photo

An affidavit in the Criminal Complaint filed with the courts the following day asserts that “The defendant Paul Wesley Miller did interact with, a Des Moines Police Officer in an online chat room who was operating in an undercover capacity as a 14-year-old girl persona. The defendant did entice or attempt to entice this minor persona who he believed to be 14 years of age, with the intent to commit an illegal sex act.”

According to the affidavit, Miller then drove to Des Moines to meet up with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl to commit an illegal sex act.

Following his arrest, District Associate Judge Christopher Kemp signed off on an Order of Protection prohibiting Miller from committing any acts of abuse or threats of abuse or having any contact with any minor under the age of 18 until the order is modified, terminated by further written order of the court or until the vase is dismissed, or until sentencing.

This Order of Protection states the defendant “is ordered to stay away from all juveniles under the age of 18, and any location where juveniles are regularly located such as preschools, schools, YMCA, libraries, playgrounds or any other place that juveniles may be found unattended.”

Additionally, the court set a preliminary hearing for Oct. 2 and issued a $50,000 cash or surety bond, though, Sept. 30, Miller’s attorney, Gerald B. Feuerhelm filed to waive the preliminary hearing.

According to court documents, bond was decided based on the preliminary complaint and the court found probably cause “ … to believe that the offense(s) set forth in the complaint have been committed and the defendant committed said offense(s).”

Sept. 28, however, Feuerhelm filed a request to modify bond conditions asking the court to review the bond conditions stating that Miller is a longtime resident of Mt. Pleasant, is married, and has no criminal history.

He further encouraged the court to review the bond in consideration that Miller operates his own lawn care, landscaping, and snow removal business.

According to Feuerhelm, the bond of $50,000 cash/surety is higher than the bond schedule for Class D Felonies.

The current bond schedule according to the Iowa Judicial Branch effective since July 1, 2017 sets Class “D” felonies at $5,000.

A hearing to review the bond is scheduled for Oct. 12. Miller’s arraignment for the charge of Enticing a Minor under 16 — Sexual Purposes is set for Nov. 9.

As of Wednesday, Oct. 3, Miller remained in custody at Polk County Jail.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com