Bonner County man arrested for robbery, battery of minor

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.