In Austin today, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel sentenced 45-year-old Terry Allen Miles to life in federal prison for kidnapping two minors and taking them to Colorado, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks.

“Today justice was delivered to Terry Miles for his despicable crimes against children. Unfortunately this is only one particularly high-profile example of the sort of abuse happening in every community across our country. It won’t stop until policymakers at all levels prioritize child safety,” said U.S. Attorney Bash. 

On February 12, 2019, jurors found Miles guilty on two counts of kidnapping, one count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in sex with her, and one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in sex with a minor.  Evidence presented during trial revealed on December 30, 2017, Round Rock (TX) Police (RRPD) officers conducted a welfare check at the residence of Tonya Ellen Bates because she had not shown up for work that day as expected.  The officers subsequently discovered Bates’s body inside the residence.  Bates was the only individual at the residence at the time of the welfare check and Bates’s 2017 Hyundai Accent was missing.  Further investigation revealed that Miles, who had lived with Bates and her two young daughters, may have kidnapped the daughters, whose whereabouts were unknown. 

Bates’ death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma.  Testimony at trial indicated that Miles likely killed Bates by bludgeoning her on the head with a heavy flashlight. DNA evidence indicated that Bates’ blood was found on one of Miles’ sneakers.

RRPD officers obtained cell phone information on the children’s two phones.  One of the phones was located in a heavily wooded area adjacent to a Wal-Mart store located in Round Rock.  Surveillance video from the Wal-Mart showed what appeared to be Miles purchasing numerous camping-related items and then leaving the store in a vehicle appearing to match Bates’s vehicle.  The vehicle and a cell phone belonging to one of the minors were subsequently traced heading to Colorado.  Evidence from security cameras and phone records showed the route Miles took from Round Rock to southern Colorado.

On January 3, 2018, deputies with the Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Miles during a traffic stop near La Veta, Colorado.   The two minors, ages 7 and 14, were found with Miles in the vehicle he took from Round Rock. 

Testimony elicited during trial also revealed that Miles repeatedly engaged in sexual relations with the 14-year-old girl over a five-month period prior to being arrested.  DNA evidence indicated that Miles was the source of semen found in the 14 year old’s underwear that she was wearing at the time she was found.  Miles was also shown to be the source of semen found on a towel at the remote campsite where they hid out after arriving in Colorado. 

“Today, a violent criminal has been sentenced and is off the streets, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the agents, task force officers and analysts on the FBI Austin Child Exploitation Task Force, working with our law enforcement partners here in Texas and in other states as well,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “Thankfully, in this case, the two child victims were recovered and are safe now. We are committed to preventing violent crimes against children and to bring those who harm them to justice.”

“Round Rock is a safer place with Terry Miles scheduled to serve a well-deserved, lengthy prison sentence. While it won’t reverse the harm done to these girls, it will allow them to continue the healing process without fear. This would not have been possible without the collaboration of the U.S Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Round Rock Police Department, and other Local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies,” stated Round Rock Police Chief Banks.

The FBI and the Round Rock Police Department conducted this investigation.  The U.S. Marshals Service – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Texas Rangers; Central Texas Violent Crimes Task Force; Williamson County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado; New Mexico State Police Department; Las Animas County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force; Colorado State Patrol; Trinidad (CO) Police Department; Colorado Bureau of Investigations; Huerfano County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Archuletta County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Pagosa Springs (CO) Police Department; Rio Grande County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation in Colorado; Durango (CO) Police Department; La Plata County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Child Protective Services in Texas and Colorado; and, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted in this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Devlin and Michelle Fernald prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In Austin today, a federal jury convicted 45-year-old Terry Allen Miles for kidnapping two minors and taking them to Colorado, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division and Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks.

Jurors found Miles guilty on two counts of kidnapping, one count of transporting a minor with intent to engage in sex with her, and one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in sex with a minor.  Evidence presented during trial revealed on December 30, 2017, Round Rock (TX) Police (RRPD) officers conducted a welfare check at the residence of Tonya Ellen Bates because she had not shown up for work that day as expected.  The officers subsequently discovered Bates’s body inside the residence.  Bates was the only individual at the residence at the time of the welfare check and Bates’s 2017 Hyundai Accent was missing.  Further investigation revealed that Miles, who had lived with Bates and her two young daughters, may have kidnapped the daughters, whose whereabouts were unknown. 

Bates’ death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma.  Testimony at trial indicated that Miles likely killed Bates by bludgeoning her on the head with a heavy flashlight. DNA evidence indicated that Bates’ blood was found on one of Miles’ sneakers.

RRPD officers obtained cell phone information on the children’s two phones.  One of the phones was located in a heavily wooded area adjacent to a Wal-Mart store located in Round Rock.  Surveillance video from the Wal-Mart showed what appeared to be Miles purchasing numerous camping-related items and then leaving the store in a vehicle appearing to match Bates’s vehicle.  The vehicle and a cell phone belonging to one of the minors were subsequently traced heading to Colorado.  Evidence from security cameras and phone records showed the route Miles took from Round Rock to southern Colorado.

On January 3, 2018, deputies with the Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Miles during a traffic stop near La Vera, Colorado.   The two minors, ages 7 and 14, were found with Miles in the vehicle he took from Round Rock. 

Testimony elicited during trial also revealed that Miles repeatedly engaged in sexual relations with the 14-year-old girl over a 5-month period prior to being arrested.  DNA evidence indicated that Miles was the source of semen found in the 14 year old’s underwear that she was wearing at the time she was found.  Miles was also shown to be the source of semen found on a towel at the remote campsite where they hid out after arriving in Colorado. 

Miles faces between 20 years and life in federal prison.  He remains in federal custody pending sentencing scheduled for 9:00am on April 25, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel in Austin. 

“Today’s verdict represents justice for the child victims of Terry Miles,” said U.S. Attorney Bash.  “ Mandatory minimums have been criticized recently, but I am glad that federal law requires defendants to serve at least 20 years—and up to life in prison—for these sorts of heinous acts against children.

“Thank you to our wonderful prosecution team – who worked without paychecks during the shutdown preparing for this trial – and to our partners at the FBI and the Round Rock Police Department,” Bash added.

“This investigation and subsequent prosecution, resulted from the exemplary collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement, across multiple states, leading to the safe recovery of two children,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.  “This effort not only exemplifies our commitment to prevent violent crimes against children, but it sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute violent criminals who prey on the most vulnerable in our society.”

“I am pleased with the guilty verdict against Terry Miles. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the men and women of the Round Rock Police Department and all our Law Enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this case. Our prayers are that this verdict starts the healing process for the two victims,” stated Round Rock Police Chief Banks.

The FBI and the Round Rock Police Department are conducting this investigation.  The U.S. Marshals Service – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Texas Rangers; Central Texas Violent Crimes Task Force; Williamson County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado; New Mexico State Police Department; Las Animas County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force; Colorado State Patrol; Trinidad (CO) Police Department; Colorado Bureau of Investigations; Huerfano County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Archuletta County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Pagosa Springs (CO) Police Department; Rio Grande County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation in Colorado; Durango (CO) Police Department; La Plata County (CO) Sheriff’s Office; Child Protective Services in Texas and Colorado; and, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted in this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Devlin and Michelle Fernald are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

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In Austin today, a federal complaint was unsealed charging Terrance “Terry” Allen Miles in the kidnapping of two minors, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.

 

Yesterday, authorities in Colorado took 44–year-old Miles into custody without incident during a traffic stop.    The two minors, ages 7 and 14, were found safe in the vehicle Miles was driving.

 

According to the complaint, on or about December 30, 2017, the Round Rock, Texas Police Department (RRTPD) received a call for a welfare check on Tonya Ellen Bates because she did not show up for work on December 30, 2017, as expected.

 

According to court documents, upon conducting the welfare check at Bates’ residence, RRTPD located Bates’ deceased body.  Bates appeared to have suffered from blunt force trauma.  Bates was the only individual at the residence at the time of the welfare check and Bates’ 2017 Hyundai Accent was missing.  Investigation revealed  Bates had two minor daughters and a roommate named Terry Allen Miles who lived with Bates. 

 

On or about December 30, 2017, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Miles’ mother received a text message from a phone that belonged to one of the daughters.  RRTPD officers obtained cell phone information on the children’s two phones.  One of the phones was located in a heavily wooded area adjacent to a Wal-Mart store located in Round Rock, Texas.  Surveillance from the Wal-Mart store showed what appeared to be Miles purchasing numerous camping-related items and then leaving the Wal-Mart in a vehicle appearing to match Bates’ vehicle.

 

Authorities determined Bates’ missing Hyundai was in northern New Mexico near the Colorado state line.  Las Animas County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Miles near La Veta, Colorado, on the evening of January 3.

 

Miles is scheduled for an initial appearance today at 3:00 p.m. (CST) in Federal District Court in Denver, Colorado.  

  

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, and Round Rock, Texas Police Department.  Assistance also provided by the Texas Rangers; Central Texas Violent Crimes Task Force; Williamson County, Texas District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office – Colorado; New Mexico State Police Department; Las Animas County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office; Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force; Colorado State Patrol; Trinidad, Colorado Police Department; Colorado Bureau of Investigations; Huerfano County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office; Archuletta County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office; Pagosa Springs, Colorado Police Department; Rio Grande County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation in Colorado; Durango, Colorado Police Department; La Plata County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office; Child Protective Services in Texas and Colorado; and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

 

A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

 

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