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MELBOURNE, FL —David Jerald Miller, 61, owner of Dave’s Auto Repair Llc. in Melbourne, has been arrested and charged with Sexual Battery on a Mentally Defective Person under Florida Statute 794.011(4)(b), according to arrest affidavits filed by the Melbourne Police Department.

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The victim in the case is Miller’s adult biological sister. According to the affidavit, Miller has been her legal guardian and caretaker since 2007. Medical records and the victim’s Person-Centered Support Plan indicate she is a non-verbal adult diagnosed with Down Syndrome, has an IQ of approximately 20, is incontinent, unable to walk without a walker, and unable to chew food due to lack of teeth.

The investigation began after video evidence was provided to law enforcement, showing Miller engaging in sexual battery against the victim. According to police records, the videos were captured by Blink home surveillance cameras installed inside Miller’s residence, including one in the bathroom where the incident occurred.

The Melbourne Police Department was contacted by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and responded to initiate a joint investigation. DCF Adult Protective Investigator Camesha Howard advised detectives that Colleen Moreau, the victim’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Coordinator, had received three video clips capturing the sexual battery. The video clips were provided by Miller’s now ex-girlfriend. She had recovered the videos from Miller’s phone after Miller left the device in her possession following an argument.

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The videos depict Miller placing the victim on a toilet facing him, and then inserting his penis into her mouth. Miller’s face is visible in the bathroom mirror during the act.

Detectives executed multiple search warrants throughout the investigation. A search of Miller’s cellphone recovered the original video files that matched the videos initially provided to DCF. Each video file contained message digests (MD5 hash values) confirming data integrity. A separate search warrant was executed on Miller’s Amazon Blink account for additional surveillance video and account information.

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During interviews with investigators, Miller acknowledged that he had Blink security cameras installed in his home, including in the bathroom where the incident occurred. However, he claimed that the video evidence may have been manipulated by his girlfriend, who had access to his phone. Miller pointed to differences in video coloration, stating that some footage appeared in black and white while his cameras only recorded in color. He alleged Raleigh was “good at manipulating” and cropping video footage. He stated, “Yeah, but it is not me though. I mean, if anything… I don’t do that. I mean, I got medical issues, but I don’t know man… that would be the only thing.” Despite these claims, forensic analysis of Miller’s phone and the Blink account data confirmed the videos’ authenticity and integrity through digital evidence verification processes, including MD5 hash values.

Detectives also conducted interviews with multiple witnesses and Miller himself. His ex provided additional details of previous physical abuse she witnessed, including incidents where Miller struck the victim in the head, kicked her, and verbally berated her. She stated she became concerned about Miller’s actions and attempted to intervene approximately three weeks prior to the investigation, which resulted in Miller referencing their argument during his own sworn statement.

Miller has a prior criminal history in Florida, including one felony and ten misdemeanor charges involving battery, threat of death or serious harm to law enforcement, domestic violence, resisting officers, DUI, drug possession, and other offenses.

Following the investigation, the victim was removed from Miller’s care and placed into protective custody. Miller was arrested by Melbourne Police Detective Christopher Thomas and is charged with Sexual Battery on a Mentally Defective Person. The investigation remains ongoing.

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