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Bonner County man arrested for robbery, battery of minor

LAUREN REICHENBACH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 8 months AGO
by LAUREN REICHENBACH
I’ve spent most of my life in northeastern Washington and graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2021. After that, I spent roughly two years working for a small online newspaper in North Seattle before realizing big city living wasn’t for me. Me and my pup, Kodak, headed east, where we eventually landed in Sandpoint. When I’m not writing, you can find me spending time exercising and taking photos. I ran two half marathons in high school and after spending the past few years recovering from various injuries, I’m hoping to complete my first full marathon by the end of the year. I also love any outdoor activity, none of which would be complete without my dog. Kodak and I love going for walks and hikes, and I can’t wait to try to convince him to get in my kayak and spend the hot months of the year on Lake Pend Oreille. While he’s not a fan of baths, he sure does love chasing the ducks. | May 11, 2023 1:00 AM

An 18-year-old Bonner County man has been arrested on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy and the battery of a minor.

According to court documents, Billy Miller allegedly drove to Sagle with four friends to drop off two stolen pistols to the minor, who told police he was in a gang with Miller. The minor admitted to police that he had originally planned to purchase a gun from Miller, but changed his mind when he heard the guns were stolen, according to the documents. The probable cause affidavit reports that Miller changed his story to the minor, saying the gun he had to give him was not stolen and that he would be there shortly.

Upon Miller and his friends’ arrival, the minor claimed a 17-year-old mutual friend also got out of the vehicle and immediately punched him in the face. The alleged victim fell to the ground and Miller began hitting him as well as the other boy, according to the court documents.

“While they were hitting him, they repeatedly yelled, ‘You better not snitch,’” according to the probable cause affidavit.

Court records state that Miller then demanded the minor give him his clothes. When the boy objected, court documents say another individual got out of the car, wearing a mask and brandishing a hunting rifle. Fearing that he would be shot if he did not comply, the alleged victim told police he took off his pants and hoodie and handed them to Miller, the affidavit reported.

After that, court records contend the individuals got back into the car and drove off, leaving the minor lying in the street without much clothing. The alleged victim attempted to dial 911 but kept getting disconnected due to poor service in the area. On the seventh time, he was able to get through, and walked home to get more clothes and wait for police, according to the court records.

When police arrived, they noticed multiple scratches and bruises on the boy’s face as well as observed him talking in a very slow, slurred manner — a trait the boy’s mother said was not normal. Police advised the mother that her son should be seen by medical professionals and he was taken to the hospital after the police finished conducting their interview, court records indicate.

Later that day, police questioned Miller, who claimed he had been home the whole day after getting off work. However, the 17-year-old mutual friend who was also accused of attacking the alleged victim admitted that Miller had indeed attacked and robbed the boy, court records state.

This was enough for police to arrest Miller, records show, and he was booked with a $250,000 bail. Miller’s preliminary hearing is set for May 17.

MORE LOCAL-NEWS STORIES

Local man charged with witness intimidation
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 1 year, 8 months ago
Man accused of attack with baseball bat
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 8 years, 5 months ago
‘Mastermind’ behind alleged attack bound over for felony charges
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 3 years, 9 months ago

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