Penticton councillor arrested for additional historical sexual offences

The number of charges against Penticton city councillor James Miller continues to grow after police in Ontario recently identified more victims of historical sexual offences from Miller's time as a youth basketball coach.

Miller, who is currently on a leave of absence from city council, was arrested on Friday and appeared before a Sarnia court virtually before being released with conditions in BC.

The latest charges from the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) include the following offences:

• Sexual interference (seven counts)
• Invitation to sexual touching (three counts)
• Sexual assault (one count)

Miller, now 59, was previously arrested on Aug. 1, 2024, after the SPS received a complaint of historical sexual offences from 1989.

The offences occurred when Miller was a youth basketball coach in Sarnia in the late 1980s and early 90s.

When Miller was arrested in August, he was charged with two counts of sexual interference and two counts of sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age.

The latest victims were identified while the SPS was undertaking two separate historical sexual assault investigations this fall.

At the time of his first arrest, Miller was the editor of the Penticton Herald and the Kelowna Courier.

In an article from the Herald dated Sept. 18, 2024, the newspaper group that owns the two outlets stated Miller had been reassigned to desk duties while his matter was before the court.

"This investigation is ongoing and the Sarnia Police Service would like to speak with anyone who may have additional information or may be a victim," reads an SPS news release.

"Please contact the Sarnia Police Service, Criminal Investigations Division and speak with Detective Constable Andrew Veale, (519) 344-8861 x 6231."