PLANTATION, FLA. (WSVN) - An after-school worker has been arrested after he was accused of soliciting sex from students at a school in Plantation.
Roosevelt Miller, 20, allegedly sent inappropriate text messages to three Plantation Middle School students, including 14-year-old and 13-year-old boys, where Miller used to work as part of an after-school tutoring program.
According to the federal complaint, Miller told the students to put their names and phone numbers on a list if they were interested in playing basketball and football, then used the phone app Kik to message them. Law enforcement said there was no approved basketball or football program and that Miller had created the list on his own.
The complaint states that Miller had the boys and offered them trips to Disney World, cash, credit cards, shoes and other gifts in return for sexual contact.
One message, authorities said, read, “So if I grab yo’ [expletive] and put $300 in yo’ pocket would you be mad?”
To another student, the complaint states, Miller said he would “grab his [expletive],” and to a third student he would “spoil him.”
In one text, police said, Miller typed, “I’m just tryna [expletive] and give you money … You scared to let me do that?”
Police also said Miller asked one of the boys if he was gay and called another “sexy.”
“They’re despicable. Without question, the acts are something that a reasonable person would think is not justified,” said Marlon Onias, the attorney for one of the boys. “It’s definitely predatory. It definitely has weighed on [my client’s] mom, it’s weighed on the family, and they’ve asked people if they will just be able to keep them in their thoughts and prayers at this point.”
One day after hearing the news, parents have been left wondering how someone in a trusted position could allegedly betray that trust in such a way. “I never think something like that would happen,” said an unnamed parent.
“You can’t watch your son 24 hours a day,” said another parent. “So, it’s scary. It’s very scary.”
“I think it’s disgusting. Anybody that does anything with kids, they ought be dealt with in the cruelest and harshest way possible,” said Daniel Tyson.
Tracy Clark of Broward County Public Schools released a statement that read, “Upon becoming aware of the allegations, the school’s leadership immediately contacted law enforcement and followed all proper protocols. The District’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has been cooperating with and continues to cooperate with federal and local law enforcement authorities regarding the investigation.”
Broward County Schools also wants to make it known that Miller did not work for Broward County Schools but instead was employed by a private company that operated the after-school program at the school.
The company said they had fired Miller after learning of the allegations, and they have been working with investigators.
Miller was arrested last week and now faces federal charges of using an electronic device to solicit a child for unlawful sex. 7News cameras captured him being taken to a federal courtroom from the Broward County Jail, Wednesday.
Police believe several students received the messages, but only three came forward. They believe there may be other victims who have not come forward.
If you have any information on this case, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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