SPIRIT LAKE — A 61-year-old Spirit Lake man is facing felony charges for lewd conduct with a minor under 16.

Ronald Miller, who was arrested by Spirit Lake Police last week, will have a preliminary hearing on Jan. 12 before Judge Clark Peterson.

According to police, two girls, ages 10 and 6, accused Miller of inappropriately touching them. The alleged victims were also interviewed by the Children’s Advocacy Center in Coeur d’Alene.

The girls told investigators that Miller would allegedly touch them and their friends on four-wheeler rides and around their home.

"(One alleged victim) said she wanted to drive the four-wheeler into a ditch so that she wouldn’t have to drive anymore and could sit behind Ron instead," the police report states.

The alleged victims cited other multiple cases of lewd conduct involving the suspect.

According to police, in a recorded telephone conversation, Miller admitted to touching the kids in multiple ways that would be considered inappropriate, including up their shirts, but denied putting his hands down their pants.

"Ron admitted he would often rub their bellies and would rest his hands on their inner thigh while watching TV," the police report states. "Ron said he may have touched them inappropriately without thinking about it, stating it wasn’t sexual in nature. For the duration of the phone contact, Ron equated the contact he had with the girls to rough housing and playing around."

Police said Miller admitted during an interview at the police station that he inappropriately touched the girls.

"Ron agreed he should probably talk to someone about the problem," the police report states. "Ron agreed that he would get some kind of slight rush or thrill from touching their bodies."

Miller told investigators he’s been around the girls their entire lives and wrestles with them often.

Miller was issued a no-contact order at his first appearance on Friday and a bond was set at $50,000 by Magistrate Judge James Combo.