Below is my official statement to Hardy Brown, publisher of the Black Voice News.

Dear Mr. Brown:

Initially, I chuckled at the thought of joining the Black Voice News as a reporter.  But,
slowly the idea grew on me.  What a great way to put my "junkyard dog" tenaciousness
to work I began to ponder.  I might be able to shine the light upon the den of iniquity...or
something like that.  Anyway, the idea intrigued me.As you know, I tried to pen a few articles under my psuedonym, Chris Levister.  But, it just seemed forced.  I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the offer.  However, I just do not feel that I am the "right" fit for your publication.

Sincerely,

Joseph Turner

I am going to repost an article I wrote for their fine publication.  Please feel free to give me an honest critique.  And just for disclosure, I will link to a couple of my Red County posts I referred to when writing the articles.

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Youth Director Charged, 23 Counts of Molestation

By Chris Levister

Michael Miller also a Little League Volunteer

Operation Phoenix Youth Center Director Michael Miller was arraigned Tuesday in San Bernardino Superior Court on 23 counts of alleged child molestation.

Miller who is married, is accused of molesting two young girls in recent months and another more than ten years ago.

Appearing before Judge Brian McCarville via a video hookup from jail, Miller pleaded not guilty to:

One count of a forcible lewd act and three counts of lewd and lascivious acts upon a child, occurring from October to last Wednesday, the day before police arrested Miller at a Redlands restaurant. The charges outlined in a 36-page criminal complaint states that the girl now 7 was 6 when the alleged molestation began.

Miller is also charged with one count of a lewd act upon another 6 year old girl during the same period.

Eighteen counts of lewd acts including oral copulation upon a child from June 1997 through November 1998. The complaint states the acts began when the girl was 12 until her 14th birthday.   

One count of possessing child pornography that appeared to have been downloaded from  an Internet site.

San Bernardino County  Supervising District Attorney Denise Trager-Dvorak said the oldest allegations were discovered during an investigation of Miller last week in connection with the molestation allegations at the center housed in the Church of the Nazarene located on Sierra Way.  

Judge McCarville assigned the Public Defender's Office to represent the defendant when he stated he could not afford an attorney. He remains jailed on $1 million bail.

There is now a growing concern that there may be a trail of victims. Miller was a Little League volunteer. According to a District 43 Little League website, Miller served as a board member and Umpire in Charge (UIC). Following his arrest Thursday, July 3 website links to Miller at the Operation Phoenix center were abruptly removed. District 43 officials offered no comment. 

Miller, 48 of San Bernardino worked at the center overseeing recreation programs for underprivileged youth since 2006 and has been a Parks and Recreation Center employee since 1999. He also served as a Police Department volunteer as well as a community service supervisor.

Operation Phoenix, a controversial crime-fighting program is the brain child of Mayor Pat Morris designed to provide education, mentoring, games and athletics for some of the city's most vulnerable youth.

San Bernardino police Lt. Scott Paterson said a background check on Miller was conducted and only revealed a previous petty theft incident.

Detectives revealed few details of the case, both to preserve elements of the criminal investigation and to protect the privacy of the victims. Miller could face life in prison if convicted on all counts.

Below are two of my Red County posts with snippets pasted:

Mike Miller: Little League Volunteer

Miller has been arrested on molestation charges and there has to be growing concern that perhaps, there is a trail of victims.

Today, there were links to Miller on the District 43 Little League webpage in a couple of different sections identifying him as a board member and Umpire in Charge (UIC).  Now they are gone.

BREAKING NEWS: Operation Phoenix Center Raided; Director Arrested on Molestation Charges

Operation Phoenix, a controversial 'crime-fighting' program that is the brain child of Mayor Pat Morris, is designed to assist, mentor and provide sanctuary to "at-risk" youth in targeted high crime areas.