Former Big Brother waives hearing in sex assault case
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Rodney Meiller
ELKHORN — A former president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rock, Walworth and Jefferson Counties waived his right Thursday to a preliminary hearing on charges of sexually assaulting two boys he mentored in the program.
Rodney Meiller, 51, N5924 Lakeview Drive, Elkhorn, is charged with two counts of repeated sexual assault of the same child, an 11-year-old boy. He also is charged with repeated first-degree sexual assault of another child, a 14-year-old boy.
A preliminary hearing requires prosecutors to make a case that there is probable cause to proceed to a trial. If the judge agrees a case is made, the defendant is bound over for trial.
During Thursday’s proceeding, Walworth County Judge John Race asked Meiller if he willingly agreed to waive his right to cross examine witnesses and challenge evidence presented by the prosecution at a preliminary hearing. Dressed in a gray pinstriped suit, Meiller answered “Yes, your honor” to a series of questions Race asked regarding the defendant’s rights.
An arraignment was scheduled at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, for further proceedings. No trial date has been set.
