Attorney general's office successfully prosecutes former Perry County coroner a second time

Former Perry County Coroner Herbert Miller has been convicted of stealing more than $3,300 from a couple who had deposited funds for prepaid funerals, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley said Friday in a news release.

Hawley�s office previously obtained felony convictions against Miller, who owned a funeral home, for felony stealing and financial exploitation of the elderly. Miller was sentenced to probation, but violated his probation by stealing more money.

The attorney general�s office moved to revoke Miller�s probation. Miller was sentenced to two, seven-year prison sentences.

Beginning in late 2015, Perry County residents Tom and Lila Welsh and other consumers complained to the attorney general�s office regarding funds deposited with Miller.

Hawley�s office filed criminal charges against Miller regarding the stealing of money from the Welshes.

Separately, the attorney general�s office obtained a judgment of more than $372,000 on behalf of 54 Missouri consumers who were also defrauded, the release said.

�Herbert Miller preyed upon his elderly friends and neighbors in this close-knit community,� Hawley said in the release. �I will not stand by while scammers take advantage of the elderly.�

Miller is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in Perryville, Missouri.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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