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Overcast Inwood man charged in illegal sex act
Allegedly drugged teen employee and took him home
More than three months after the alleged incident occurred, Inwood resident and business owner Daniel Miller was arrested on Thursday and accused of intentionally drugging a 17-year-old male employee and having sexual relations with him in the store in January, according to police.
On Jan. 3 at 4:30 p.m., Miller, 44, who lives on West Broadway and owns the religious goods store, Botanica, at 80 Mott Street, allegedly gave a cup containing a liquid mixed with Lorazepam to the young man who had just started working at the store that day, police said. A variety of religious items from candles to oils are sold at Miller's store. The drug slows brain activity and impairs the user’s equilibrium.
The teen, who was unaware he was being drugged, woke up at about 4 a.m. in Miller’s house. Miller then drove the young man home.
Following an investigation in which the teen told police what happened, Miller was arrested at his home. He complained of chest pains and was admitted to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.
Miller was arraigned bedside on April 20 at the medical center. He pleaded not guilty. First District Court Judge Helen Voutsinas ordered him jailed on $2 million bond or $1 million cash.
