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A former Loveland police officer has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a Northern Colorado park while he was on duty, in what prosecutors described as a profound abuse of authority and a betrayal of public trust.
Dylan Miller, 30, is the Former Loveland Police Officer Dylan Miller Sentenced for Sexual Assault of a Child in Colorado who was convicted by a federal jury in December 2025 of depriving a victim of civil rights while acting under color of law. In addition to 17 years in prison, Miller was sentenced to five years of supervised release. He faced a maximum of life in prison.
The charges stem from an incident at North Lake Park in Loveland on the evening of August 3, 2023, continuing into the early morning of August 4, 2023. Miller was fired and arrested in November 2023 after the alleged victim's parents reported the assault. The FBI led the investigation, which was conducted jointly with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office and with cooperation from the Loveland Police Department.
Miller was hired by the Loveland Police Department in May 2022. He still faces an open case in Larimer County District Court on charges including kidnapping, sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust, unlawful sexual conduct by a police officer, and several additional felonies. A hearing in that case was scheduled for May 4, 2026.
The factual information above was sourced from cbsnews.com/colorado as of May 29, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a law enforcement officer is convicted of sexually assaulting a victim while on duty, survivors may have significant civil legal options beyond the federal criminal sentence. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Colorado sexual abuse attorney Dan Lipman about the civil legal avenues that may be available to survivors in cases involving alleged or proven sexual misconduct by a police officer.
Paul Amess: Dan, when a law enforcement officer is convicted of sexually assaulting a victim while on duty, what civil legal options may be available to the survivor?
Dan Lipman: A criminal conviction of a law enforcement officer for sexual assault can significantly support a civil claim. When an officer acts under color of law — meaning they used their authority or position as a police officer in connection with the alleged conduct — survivors may have civil rights claims under federal law in addition to state civil claims. Those claims can be brought against the individual officer and, in some circumstances, against the law enforcement agency or municipality that employed them, particularly if there were failures in hiring, training, or supervision that contributed to the harm.
Paul Amess: In cases where a law enforcement agency is also facing scrutiny over its broader culture or history of misconduct, how does that factor into potential civil liability?
Dan Lipman: An institution's broader history and culture can be highly relevant in civil litigation. When a pattern of conduct or institutional failures is alleged, it can support claims that the agency should have known about risks and failed to address them. Survivors should speak with an experienced attorney to understand how the specific circumstances of their case intersect with any broader institutional issues.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a survivor in Colorado who was victimized by someone in a position of law enforcement authority?
Dan Lipman: You have rights, and those rights are meaningful regardless of who committed the harm. Speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible is the most important step a survivor can take. Civil claims have time limits, and early legal guidance gives survivors the best possible foundation. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge.
If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or victimized by any individual in Colorado, including someone in a position of authority, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Colorado sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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