Columbus Police Officer Admits To Child Porn Charges

A veteran Columbus Police Officer resigns in disgrace, after admitting to a decade of collecting child pornography.

Stewart “Sam” Miller was on the Columbus Police Freeway Patrol. He was days away from marking his 23rd anniversary with the force.

Now his career is over, and his days as a free man are numbered.
     
Officer Stewart "Sam" Miller last made the news in November 2000, when he was run over by a fleeing suspect. It happened as Miller and another officer were trying to lay down stop sticks in the car's path.

Miller was critically hurt, with two broken legs and a broken arm.

He fought back from that injury to resume what would be a long police career.

Today, that career is over.
     
Court records obtained by 10TV detail the charges against Miller.

Federal Prosecutors charge that between "June of 2003 and January of 2013," Miller "knowingly receive(d) visual depictions" of "minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct."

In a plea agreement, signed by Stewart, he agrees to plead guilty to one count of receiving child pornography.
     
One day after signing that plea agreement, Miller resigned from the Division of Police. A spokesperson says he resigned "in bad standing."

Division policy states, "Personnel who resign or retire while under criminal or departmental investigation, or who are facing criminal or departmental charges, shall not be afforded good standing status."

A Division spokesperson says that means Miller would not ever be eligible for reinstatement.

A hearing has not yet been scheduled for Miller to formally plead guilty.

He faces between 5 and 20 years in prison.

10TV was not able to reach Miller, but his attorney said Miller "is very disappointed in himself for letting his co-workers down" and "he is going to make the best of the situation and do what's right."