Back in April of 2009, Heath Miller, a popular band teacher at H.L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens, was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting four of his eighth-grade female students.
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And now, two female Watkins Middle students are suing the Palm Beach County School Board in two separate suits claiming they were sexually assaulted by Miller, who is currently serving a 13-year prison sentence.
Prior to his charges, Miller had garnered a reputation as a pillar in the community and an outstanding teacher.
He was hailed as a hero when, months before his arrest, Miller shot and killed a masked intruder who broke into his home.
But not long after, all of that came crumbling down when he stood accused to molesting teenaged girls in his band room. At first, Miller pleaded not guilty to felony charges of sexual activity with a child and lewd and lascivious molestation. He was also accused of tampering with evidence.
Eventually, Miller pleaded guilty to four sex-related charges, admitting he had sex with two girls and fondled two others in the band room. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
The suits were filed in federal court and in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. The two victims -- identified only as "Jane Doe" and "T.B." -- claim they were among those molested by Miller in April 2009.
Earlier this year, the school board agreed to pay two of Miller's former students at his former middle school $150,000 each to settle similar lawsuits they filed against the board.
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