Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for September 7, 2006 ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION

From the Southeast Missourian...

Man accused of trying to lure away Alexander Co. candidate's daughter

KYLE W. MORRISON ~ Southeast Missourian

Don W. Miller Sr. was charged with felony child abduction.

CAIRO, Ill. -- An Illinois man was accused Wednesday of attempting to kidnap the daughter of a candidate for Alexander County commissioner.

Don W. Miller Sr., 68, of Brighton, Ill., was charged with felony child abduction in the Monday incident.

He is accused of luring toward a vehicle the 13-year-old daughter of Duane "Street Preacher" Lyon during a Labor Day festival in Olive Branch, Ill. During an appearance Wednesday in court, Circuit Judge William Thurston formally read the charge against Miller and informed him of his rights.

As the charge was read, Miller shook his head. At one point, Miller said, "No, I'm not guilty," to which the judge reminded him that Wednesday was not the time to enter a plea.

Alexander County State's Attorney Jeffery Farris requested the judge set bond at $25,000 and add a condition that Miller have no contact with anyone younger than 18.

Thurston followed Farris' recommendation, ordering that if Miller secures bond he shall have no contact with any minors "anywhere on this planet."

Following pleas from the defendant's family, the judge altered the release condition to allow Miller contact with his grandchildren if he makes bond. The contact must be supervised by the children's parents, the judge ordered.

According to Lyon, his daughter had finished singing and was walking off a stage during the festival when Miller grabbed her.

"He told her, 'Let's go to my truck. ...Your daddy said to be nice to me 'cause I'm going to vote for him,'" Lyon said.

When he saw the attempted abduction, Lyon ran over to his daughter, who was released uninjured as the suspect fled on foot. He was arrested about 30 minutes later.

Lyon said he did not know who Miller was prior to the incident.

"It's upsetting. We just want to make sure he's prosecuted," Lyon said.

Miller's family members declined comment following Wednesday's hearing.

If convicted, Miller could face up to three years' imprisonment. A preliminary hearing was set for 10 a.m. Sept. 26.

From the WPSD TV Channel 6 website...

IL: Man Charged With Attempted Child Abduction

Anna Prendergast,
WPSD NewsChannel 6

A Southern Illinois family says their teenage daughter was the target of an attempted abduction.

Donald Miller was charged with the crime today at the Alexander County Courthouse.

In court today, Miller blurted out that he's not guilty, but the teen's family say they witnessed the crime.

The girl says Donald Miller grabbed her at a Labor Day picnic in Olive Branch, Illinois Monday and tried to force her into his truck.

Duane Lyon's 6 kids entertained the crowd at the annual Labor Day Festival.

After the performance, Lyon says he kept a close eye on his children. But says something wasn't right when he spotted a man he didn't know talking to his 13 year-old daughter.

Duane Lyon, "It was very scary nothing matters to me more than my children."

Lyon says he saw Donald Miller put his arm around his 13 year-old daughter. Lyon says Miller then tried to take his daughter to his truck. Lyon says that's when he ran over to get his daughter.

Duane Lyon, "The man took off we called the police."

Lyon says he went to search for Donald Miller when the police showed up.

Duane Lyon, "We found him sitting in a nearby grocery store, hiding out with his hat off. When me and the officer walked in he said I knew you were coming for me."

Donald Miller was arrested.

Duane Lyon, "I'm thankful to God my childs home and safe because we could be here talking about where is she, what happened to her."

Lyon says his daughter realizes what could have happened, but has decided to move forward.

If convicted, Donald Miller could get up to three years in jail and have to pay up to $25,000 in fines.