A U.S. Army recruiter has been arrested in Salt Lake City, Utah, on charges of attempting to groom a 16-year-old girl.
Dale Allen Miller, 39, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Monday on suspicion of forcible sexual abuse and providing tobacco to a minor.
The investigation began in November after the owner of a West Valley boxing gym reported concerns to the police.
According to a booking affidavit, the gym’s owner, Armando Reyes, said he had partnered with the Army in 2024 to provide training for underage students, with Miller leading drills and discussing military career paths. Reyes became alarmed when other students told him that Miller was getting too close to the 16-year-old, buying her cigarettes, and allowing her to sit in his car.
The teen told police that Miller knew she was interested in enlisting and initially kept their conversations focused on her military aspirations. However, over time, their discussions became increasingly inappropriate.
The affidavit states that Miller shared explicit details about his past experiences in the military, acknowledging that he should not be discussing such topics with her. He also admitted that he sometimes forgot he was speaking to a 16-year-old.
According to the teen, Miller frequently bought her cigarettes and made physical advances, including hugging her from behind inappropriately. In one incident in October, while they were smoking outside after class, Miller allegedly told her he would do “crude things” if she were his age.
When he invited her to “go check it out,” she initially thought he was joking, but he then began undoing his pants. The girl walked away as Miller repeatedly insisted he had been joking.
Another incident in November allegedly took place inside Miller’s truck, where he promised her a pack of cigarettes. The affidavit states that Miller inappropriately touched her at least three times, again dismissing it as a joke. He also allegedly spoke to her about his sex life and mentioned the possibility of having intercourse with her.
In December, during a formal police interview, the girl said she had been groomed and had not spoken out until the previous month. She initially believed Miller was guiding her through the enlistment process, but as he began isolating her, their conversations turned sexual and escalated over time.
Miller was questioned by police on Monday and denied the allegations.
He was subsequently booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony, and providing tobacco to a minor, a class-C misdemeanor.
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