Dec 7, 2016 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – A convicted child molester who previously served 12 years in state prison was sentenced Wednesday to 1 to 7 years in prison for assaulting an 8-year-old girl in a Waynesburg apartment in July 2015.

Benjamin T. Miller, 41, of Waynesburg, complained during his sentencing that he may not be granted parole.

“They screwed me last time,” Miller said in court.

Miller was convicted three times for separate incidents in the early 2000s and served 12 years in prison. The sentence Wednesday stems from the incident July 4, 2015, when Miller touched the 8-year-old girl’s genitals and chest while she was napping in her swimsuit on a couch in the apartment, police said.

Police said a couple that was babysitting the girl left Miller alone in the room with her despite knowing he was previously convicted of abusing children.

Miller made a plea agreement in November 2015 and pleaded guilty to indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old and corruption of minors. The district attorney’s office withdrew the charges of aggravated indecent assault of a child, statutory sexual assault and sexual assault.

Greene County President Judge Farley Toothman sentenced Miller to 1 to 7 years in state prison, with credit for time served since July 5, 2015. Miller is eligible to apply for parole since he’s already served his minimum sentence.

Miller asked Toothman for a different sentence because he had concerns about not being granted parole. He also said he doesn’t believe he’d get the help he needs in prison, such as outpatient treatment for mental illness.

“Going to state is not going to help me,” he said. “They have no help up there.”

In October, Miller was found to be a sexually violent predator and will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. The state also mandates him to attend monthly counseling sessions.

When asked by Toothman if he had anything to say to the victim in this case, Miller said, “I’m sorry that I took advantage of her.”