news-02072024-021730

A man from Texas is in jail for pretending to be a Child Protective Services worker to get access to children, as per deputies. Gerald Don Miller, aged 56, has been charged with three counts of pretending to be a public servant and one count of sexual assault. He is currently being held in Hopkins County Jail on a bond of $300,000.

The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office received a report on June 18 about a man pretending to be a CPS worker. The man allegedly told the child’s parents that he needed to talk to the child and managed to gain access to the child. The child and parents were able to provide a description of the suspect and his vehicle.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that a similar incident occurred in Sulphur Springs, Texas, in November. The description of the suspect and vehicle matched that of the suspect in Lamar County. On June 25, Miller was identified as the suspect, and an arrest warrant was issued for him, along with a search warrant for his home and vehicle.

During the search, detectives found items from Miller’s vehicle that matched what the victim in Lamar County had described. Additionally, evidence found in Miller’s vehicle linked him to the incident in Sulphur Springs. He was then taken into custody and transported to Franklin County Jail.

Authorities emphasized that CPS workers always carry official credentials and will show them before engaging with individuals. Anyone who has come into contact with Miller claiming to be from CPS is urged to contact the local police. Miller is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 240 pounds, with brown and white hair and a white mustache. He may have had a red case with a Texas Department of Criminal Justice logo on it.

Sheriff Scott Cass of Lamar County expressed gratitude for the cooperation between agencies in solving the case, stating that it led to the removal of another criminal from the streets and neighborhoods. The investigation is ongoing to gather more information.

It is essential to remain vigilant and verify the credentials of individuals claiming to be public servants to ensure the safety of children and families. If you suspect someone is impersonating a CPS worker, do not hesitate to report it to the authorities for further investigation and action.