A member of the United States Coast Guard’s volunteer auxiliary unit has been charged with stealing money from the group.
Douglas Charles Miller, 36, of Morrisville, is accused of misusing $4,000 of the Coast Guard Auxiliary funds to pay for his SUV, insurance and wireless phone bill, according to court papers filed this week by Bucks County Detectives.
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A detective was alerted to the case by a special agent from the coast guard who was investigating the alleged embezzlement of funds from the Tullytown-based group, which is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security.
Miller, a vice division commander, withdrew $4,000 from the auxiliary unit’s TD Bank account in late 2013, authorities alleged. Court papers outline payments for his 2002 SUV, insurance and Sprint wireless bills.
The local flotilla commander became aware of the theft after he saw the bank account was overdrawn by several hundred dollars. Miller, when asked, did not turn over bank records, the flotilla commander told a detective.
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When speaking with a detective last week, Miller confessed to misusing the money and said he planned to refund the account, an investigator said.
The money taken from the account was to be used to purchase communication equipment, according to court papers.
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Authorities said Miller’s SUV has since been repossessed.
Miller is charged with access device fraud, theft, receiving stolen property and related offenses. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
