A man accused of felony rape and sexual battery turned himself in yesterday, June 16, after a warrant was issued for his arrest earlier in the day. He had already retained a defense attorney and is requesting a jury trial.

Indiana Joseph Miller, 24, was booked in to the Greene County Jail by a jail officer before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16. Court records show Miller has a home address in Linton, but the jail record shows Miller with a home address in Bloomfield.

Indiana State Police Detective Stacy Brown has been investigating this case since mid-February when a woman made allegations about incidents she said occurred on two different occasions in January.

Miller and the alleged victim were friends who previously had spent time together with no issues. The first incident occurred after an evening when both were drinking alcohol and watching movies. The second incident occurred a few days later when the victim invited Miller back to her home.

According to information in a probable cause affidavit prepared by Det. Brown, the alleged victim said the sexual encounters were rough and not consensual, she had told him no, but she received bruises and marks during the incidents.

When Miller was interviewed, he said he was surprised by the allegations made by the woman and he later offered information he felt showed motive for why she made accusations against him, including a desire for retaliation for things in the past and possible mental health issues.

Det. Brown interviewed both Miller and the alleged victim as well as numerous friends including ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends. A forensic examination on Miller’s phone was conducted after a search warrant was executed to obtain Miller’s cell phone and Det. Brown has viewed photographs of the alleged victim’s injuries and various text messages between Miller, the alleged victim and other friends as well as phone call records.

Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw filed charges against Miller on Tuesday in Greene Circuit Court and Judge Erik Allen ordered a warrant be issued for Miller’s arrest.

Miller’s bond was set at $20,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. After turning himself in, he posted $2,000 and was released.

Miller is facing preliminary charges of:

Rape – compelled by force or imminent threat of force, a Level 3 felony,
Sexual battery – compelled by force or imminent threat of force, a Level 6 felony, and
Battery resulting in bodily injury, a Class A misdemeanor.

Miller is currently scheduled to appear in court for an initial hearing on July 1. He is represented by Defense Attorney Carl Salzmann of Bloomington. The date for a jury trial has not yet been set.