Newton cop loses job for exposing himself to driversn

Former Newton Police Officer Jason Miller during his sentencing hearing in August 2015 (Robert Sciarrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

(Robert Sciarrino)

HAMPTON - A former Newton police officer accused in 2014 of exposing himself to male motorists has been charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy Thursday in a Burger King bathroom.

Jason R. Miller, 39, of Hampton, is charged with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, criminal restraint and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Sussex County Sheriff's Office website.

Miller is being held in the county jail on $200,000 bail.

His attorney, Anthony Iacullo, said, "Jason vehemently denies the allegations contained in the criminal complaints against him."

The ex-Newton cop resigned from the force in 2015 after pleading guilty to tampering with records, and was sentenced to probation. As part of the agreement, charges of official misconduct and lewdness stemming from the motor vehicle stops were dismissed.

Following the alleged assault Thursday, the Burger King manager followed Miller to his vehicle, according to an affidavit obtained by NJ Advance Media, and New Jersey State Police were called.

The boy told police that he was in the bathroom when Miller entered the room and placed his hand down the boy's pants.

Miller allegedly then tried to force the teen to perform fellatio on him, according to the affidavit.

Miller denied the allegations, telling police that he went into the bathroom at the same time and that the teen offered him oral sex.

However, video surveillance from the restaurant allegedly shows Miller following the boy into the bathroom while leaving a 3-year-old child unattended in the restaurant's lobby.

The affidavit does not define the relationship between Miller and the 3-year-old.

The toddler was allegedly left alone in the lobby while Miller was in the bathroom for up to two minutes.

Iacullo, in addition to stating his client's denial, said, "Jason has fully cooperated with law enforcement and provided a statement setting forth what transpired on that evening."

"We can add nothing further at this time and we await our opportunity to review the reports and statements gathered concerning any investigation that was done into this matter," Iacullo said.

Iacullo was Miller's attorney in the prior case.

Miller, at the time a 14-year member of the Newton force, was arrested in November 2014 after authorities were tipped off that he allegedly unzipped his pants during "numerous" motor vehicle stops of young male drivers.

In July 2015, the charges were dropped as part of a guilty plea in which Miller acknowledged tampering with records - specifically, that he turned off the audio and video components of his patrol vehicle's dashboard camera system "to conceal unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" between March 1, 2014 and Oct. 23, 2014.

While the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office sought a 60-day jail term and up to five years of probation, Miller avoided incarceration and was sentenced to probation for two years.

In doing so, Superior Court Judge Thomas Critchley said Miller had "accepted responsibility" for his actions.

Newton Police Chief Michael Richards, asked Saturday about Miller's arrest, said, "It's been over two years since the first hints of his proclivities were recognized and we then took swift action to remove him from the department and hold him criminally accountable."

"We no longer have any association with Miller," Richards said, adding that the department would aid in the investigation "in any way that we may be of assistance."

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.