Cops and Courts, News

Preston Circuit Judge to reconsider bond reduction for man with multiple charges

KINGWOOD — There was no bond reduction for Kevin M. Miller II in Preston Circuit Court Friday, but the conditions under which he could make bond were eased. Miller, 28, of Newburg, has been held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail in lieu of $100,300 bond since his arrest March 29 on charges of receiving or transferring stolen property and driving on a suspended or revoked license.

His attorney, Lisa Hyre, argued Friday there’s no basis for those charges. She said he had no idea that the side-by-side, or UTV, he sold a police officer was stolen. Miller bought the UTV in February 2017 from someone else, Hyre said.

Assistant Prosecutor Megan Allender pointed out that Miller was out of jail on $100,000 bond when he was arrested. That goes back to his conviction in February on two counts of wanton endangerment charges for shooting his father.

Allender asked that the new bond remain as it is and noted prosecutors sought twice before to have his bond revoked for lateness to court and violating the conditions of bond. She said he will also be indicted for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Preston Circuit Judge Lawrance Miller Jr. said he was being thrown a lot of facts that weren’t in the motion to lower bond. He agreed to keep the $100,000 bond for the stolen goods charge but dropped the requirement that it had to be a cash bond or done through a bail bondsman. Instead real estate property can be used to secure the bond.

The judge said he’ll reconsider the motion for bond reduction at Miller’s sentencing April 19.