Ex-Prescott teacher pleads guilty in child exploitation case

A former Prescott High School teacher has pleaded guilty to charges related to child sexual abuse material.

Scott Miller, 40, of Prescott, pleaded guilty Oct. 15 to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane said in a news release.

He faces 10 to 24 years in prison.

Miller taught history and social studies, according to the Prescott Daily Courier.

Under the plea agreement, Miller must serve his full prison sentence with no early release for good behavior. After his release, he must register as a sex offender.

Prescott police opened the case in December 2024 after a Homeland Security Investigations undercover account was sent three videos depicting child sexual abuse, which investigators traced to the Prescott area.

Police later found that Miller had viewed such material over a period of years, according to the county attorney’s office. Authorities said no children from Prescott High School or Yavapai County appeared in the images.

Prosecutor wants death penalty option after Prescott ex-teacher pleads guilty

“While I believe the death penalty is an appropriate punishment for anyone who chooses to sexually harm a child, Arizona law does not yet allow that,” McGrane said in a statement. “I encourage my fellow Arizonans to join me in asking our legislators to make that a possibility, especially in egregious cases where the offender holds a position of trust in our society such as a teacher, lawyer, medical professional, or police officer. I hope the lengthy flat-time sentence that Mr. Miller will receive will deter others who seek out or trade these types of images on the internet.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 23.

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