Miller Jr. arrested again after alleged burglary

Kenneth Miller Jr. is facing more legal troubles after the 35-year-old Percy resident was arrested June 2 by the Steeleville Police Department on suspicion of residential burglary.

Miller is already facing charges of arson, burglary and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in a separate case, and had been out on bond since Feb. 24. In that case, Miller is accused of setting the house of Jessica Miller on fire on Green Street, leading police on a high-speed chase and burglarizing the Scuttle Inn Lounge at the Pyramid Oaks Golf Course in Percy.

He later called 911 to report he was the victim of a battery, leading to his arrest, and is scheduled for a motions hearing on June 13. Miller's attorney in that case, Thomas Mansfield, has filed a motion to suppress Miller's statements, in which he allegedly confessed, to police during two interviews conducted after his arrest.

Mansfield has claimed his client was suffering from sleep deprivation when he was interviewed and did not fully understand his Miranda rights when Miller waived them.

"In one way, they're completely separate," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker of the two cases. "However, practically speaking, when you have more than one case pending at the same time, certainly there's some symmetry involved as far as reaching a global resolution."

On the latest charge, Miller is accused of burglarizing the residence of Dennis P. Ernsting on North Meadow Lane on the north end of Steeleville.

According to Steeleville Police Chief Tyler Cleland, Miller allegedly gained access to the garage prior to being discovered by the victim. Nobody else was questioned or arrested in connection to the incident, which was reported at 11:30 p.m.

"The victim was inside his residence, heard a noise outside, grabbed a firearm and went outside and confronted Mr. Miller and held him at gunpoint until police arrival," said Steeleville Police Chief Tyler Cleland.

Miller faces a June 19 preliminary hearing on his latest arrest and is being held at Randolph County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Miller has been assigned public defender Jamie Kelley for the June 2 arrest.

"Generally speaking, if you catch a case when you're out on bond, the law says it can be consecutive and can be a factor in aggravation, which would lead to the imposition of a greater sentence," Walker said.