Indianapolis council Republicans have pulled out the last tool in their box to smother the distractions following Councilor Jeff Miller: They kicked him out of their caucus.

Republican City-County Council members on Monday voted during a private meeting to expel Miller, casting out the two-term, 50-year-old council member onto a political island as he fights child molestation charges.

Miller will technically remain a member of the Republican Party, at least for now, but he will not be permitted to attend the GOP strategy sessions that are held before City-County Council meetings. With Monday's vote, council Republicans have exhausted their limited options to fend off the attention that comes with Miller's presence.

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"He serves as a distraction any time he attends a meeting," Michael McQuillen, the council's Republican minority leader, said. "It would be better for the council, the residents of District 16 and the city as a whole if he would just resign to take time to take care of his family and his legal problems."

Miller is accused of fondling two young girls at his Fletcher Place house. He faces three felony counts of child molestation, each carrying a potential sentence of 2-12 years in prison if he is convicted. He has pleaded not guilty.

Since the charges were filed Nov. 17, Miller has rebuffed calls for his resignation from all 10 council Republicans and been either unable or unwilling to avoid the spotlight.

Miller last week was temporarily detained by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers after he appeared at a Fletcher Place neighborhood meeting. A potential witness, who had a no-contact order, was in attendance, police said.

Afterward, a Hendricks County judge warned Miller to stay away from the meetings and any potential witnesses he might see.

Republicans have put increasing pressure on Miller to step down, including talk of running a candidate against him in the 2019 primary. Council leadership earlier this month stripped Miller of his committee assignments. The council has no mechanism in place to remove Miller altogether unless he is convicted of a felony.

Miller did not respond to a request for comment.

Miller earlier this month wrote an email to constituents in which he characterized his decision to remain on the council as an effort to keep "fighting for the issues that impact you, whether big or small."

"Some view the council as a way to gain power, such as being on certain committees or holding certain titles," Miller wrote. "No, the council is not about having power, but about having a voice and to use that voice to speak for those we represent."

Miller represents a Downtown Indianapolis district that includes Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mars Hill, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the White River State Park.

Miller met with the GOP caucus behind closed doors at the City-County Building before the start of Monday's full council meeting, which he also attended. Council Republicans quickly moved to expel him in a "near-unanimous" vote, McQuillen said.

"I offered Jeff an opportunity to speak," McQuillen said. "He said something along the lines of wishing we could wait a little longer before any decisions were made."

The Republican caucus then took a voice vote. Miller left moments later.

Call IndyStar reporter James Briggs at (317) 444-6307. Follow him on Twitter: @JamesEBriggs.

Call IndyStar reporter Ryan Martin at (317) 444-6294. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter: @ryanmartin.