A former chief prosecutor in central Minnesota’s Benton County was acquitted Friday of two counts of second-degree sexual conduct after a two-week jury trial in Mille Lacs County.

Former County Attorney Philip Kent Miller, 63, was previously charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, according to a complaint filed in July 2021.

Those charges alleged Miller of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl once in March 2020 and another instance a month or two later, according to court documents. The girl told investigators Miller entered her bedroom and assaulted her more than once while she was sleeping or pretending to sleep, according to a filed complaint.

Shortly after several news outlets published stories about the charges, Miller’s legal team released a statement, according to court documents.

“Mr. Miller staunchly denies the allegations and asserts his innocence — which he was [sic] been doing since the inception of the investigation,” the statement read.

“As a veteran prosecutor, Mr. Miller respects the court processes and has faith that the truth will come out and the public will see these allegations are false,” the statement continued.

According to court documents, Miller was appointed Benton County attorney in 2013 and re-elected in 2018. Miller retired at the end of his term in 2022.

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