Defense attorney Christopher Kessel (left) and Charles Miller listen as Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Mark Slavens imposes sentence today.
By CHARITY B. SMITH
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE — Charles Miller, who pleaded guilty last week to criminal sexual conduct second degree in Wayne County Circuit Court for a running child pornography studio out of his Melvindale house, was sentenced today to serve 20 to 30 years at the Michigan Department of Corrections.
When and if Miller, 59, should happen to get out, he is subject to lifetime electronic monitoring and registering himself as a sex offender.
Upon bestowing Miller’s sentence Judge Mark Slavens said, “Mr. Miller, I want you to know that your house of horrors is now officially closed. Your actions are despicable and deplorable in the eyes of this court.”
Two of Miller’s victims are his own granddaughters, who are still school age. The girls did not appear in court today, but submitted written victim impact statements that were read by prosecuting attorney Parisa Kiani prior to sentencing.
The father of one of the victims then took the stand and through sobs told Miller how badly he had harmed his daughter and that justice began today. The victims’ grandmother also gave a statement today to speak of the severity of the trauma her granddaughters had suffered.
Miller faces further federal charges on July 9, in United State District Court Eastern District of Michigan which include sexual misconduct with a child and controlled substance distribution. His son Arthur Miller, 31, was arrested on similar charges in March.
(Charity B. Smith can be reached at [email protected].)