Nassau County police are investigating whether there may be other alleged victims of an Inwood religious shop owner who is accused of sexually abusing a teenager authorities said he secretly drugged five months ago.
Special Victims Squad detectives have issued a wanted poster asking for more information on Daniel Miller, 44, who is being held at Nassau County jail after pleading not guilty April 20 to first-degree criminal sexual act on a 17-year-old boy.
Miller “has previously hired numerous teenagers to work at [Botanica Inle-Osain on Mott Street in Inwood] by posting help wanted ads,” according to the flyer. Detectives are looking to speak with those prior employees and applicants.
Police have said Miller gave the victim a cup containing alcohol mixed with Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety medication, and told him to drink it on Jan. 3, which was the victim’s first day working at the store.
The teen, who was unaware that he was being drugged, allegedly found Miller performing oral sex on him shortly later.
The victim “told the defendant to stop but was unable to physically stop the defendant due to the victim’s physically helpless state,” according to court documents.
The victim woke up 12 hours later in Miller’s home, when the suspect drove him home, police said.
Attorneys for Miller have said he denies the allegations and intends to fight the charges.
Miller was briefly hospitalized for chest pains after police arrested him two weeks ago. During a bedside arraignment, a judge set his bail at $1 million cash or $2 million bond.
Records show he has served two prison sentences for prior felony offenses. He was paroled in 2007.
Anyone with information about this crime or who may have been victimized by Miller is asked to call Special Victims Squad detectives at 516-573-4022, or the Crime Stoppers toll free hotline: 1-800-244-TIPS (8477). All calls will be confidential.