Former Springfield pastor gets prison time for elaborate plan to sexually assault woman

A former Springfield pastor was sentenced Friday to 7 years in prison for orchestrating an elaborate plan to manipulate and sexually assault a woman.

Gary Miller, 42, was given the prison time after a hearing in front of Judge Ron Carrier.

A probable cause statement used to charge Miller last year says a woman told police that in August 2012 she got a letter in the mail from an "anonymous" sender that threatened harm against her loved ones if she did not film herself having sex with Miller.

The statement says the woman confided in Miller about the letter, and he suggested they meet in person to discuss what to do.

Miller allegedly told the woman that he did not want to have sex with her, but he felt like they had no choice.

More:Springfield man used elaborate plan and 'anonymous' letter to rape woman, police say

The statement says the woman eventually agreed to have sex with Miller as he used his cell phone to film the encounter.

After the incident, the statement says Miller insisted on tucking the victim into bed and praying with her.

The statement says that in 2018 Miller admitted to orchestrating the scheme in a conversation with his then-wife.

Miller was initially charged with forcible rape and forcible sodomy, but he pleaded guilty in July to sexual assault and deviate sexual assault. The difference is significant since the maximum sentence for each charge dropped from life in prison to 7 years in prison.

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Miller's attorney Dean Price said the crime involved trickery, not physical force.

"There was never any force used," Price said. "The charge was amended to reflect what actually happened."

Prosecutors say they asked for the 7-year sentences to run consecutively for a total of 14 years in prison, while Price asked for probation. Judge Carrier apparently opted for a sentence in the middle.