Man accused of robbing, sexually assaulting woman on KY walking trail
A Montgomery County man has been arrested after a woman told police he grabbed her from behind while she was on a walking trail, then robbed and sexually assaulted her.
The woman told police she was walking on Adena Trail in downtown Mount Sterling Monday morning when the man, later identified as Dakota Miles, placed her in a chokehold and dragged her off the trail to the McCormick Lumber buildings.
She said he demanded money, but she did not have any, so she offered him her cellphone, which he took from her, the Mount Sterling Police Department said in a uniform citation filed in Montgomery District Court.
Then, she said, he pulled her clothing down and sexually assaulted her.
Police said they were called to the scene, near the police station, at about 7:30 a.m. and arrived “within seconds,” according to information shared on the police department’s Facebook page.
“Using the city’s cameras on the trail, along with surrounding businesses, we were able to confirm that we had our suspect in custody,” police said.
As she was being taken to the hospital, police said the woman saw Miles and identified him as the man who attacked her.
The woman was taken to St. Joseph Mount Sterling with “visible injuries to her neck and knee,” police said in the citation. Police said in the Facebook post that she is now at home recovering from what they described as minor injuries.
DNA evidence was collected from both Miles and the victim. Police did not find the woman’s cellphone, the citation says.
Miles, 28, of Mount Sterling, “denied any involvement in the attack” during an interview, police said in the citation.
Miles was being held in the Montgomery County Regional Jail Tuesday night on charges of first-degree rape (attempt), first-degree robbery and kidnapping of an adult.
More charges are pending, police said.
“We want to assure the public that there is no active threat ongoing,” police said in the Facebook post. “This was an isolated, disgusting, and outrageous incident, in which we are seeking every charge we are legally allowed to pursue.
“This case was solved by the quick actions of officers and investigators, along with all the camera footage from the trail and businesses.
“We also want to remind you to walk in pairs if possible, be aware of all your surroundings, and don’t be afraid to report something that seems odd or off to you.”
In a separate case four days before the alleged attack, Miles was charged with fourth-degree assault, domestic violence. Miles admitted to throwing a woman on the ground during an argument, according to a uniform citation filed by Mount Sterling police.
