Ravenel co-defendant back in federal custodyBy Schuyler Kropf (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel's cocaine supplier has been taken back into federal custody after he was charged with striking a Mount Pleasant police officer last month. Michael L. Miller violated the conditions of his release by becoming involved in additional criminal conduct and failing to alert the U.S. Probation Office about it, a federal prosecutor said. Miller was arrested Nov. 16 outside a Waffle House restaurant on Long Point Road. He appeared to be extremely intoxicated and disoriented at the time and lashed out at an officer who was trying to help him get back into a taxi cab, a police report says. "I told Mr. Miller he was not in trouble and I just wanted to get him in the taxi cab and get him home," the officer wrote. "Mr. Miller then jerked his arm away, turned towards me and struck me in the nose with the palm of his left hand." After a struggle, Miller, 25, who had billed himself as a local deejay, was taken to the ground. He was arrested and charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct. Other reports say the charge has been upgraded to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The incident occurred just three days after Miller had pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in the Ravenel case, including conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Miller had been free on a $25,000 secured bail at the time of this latest arrest. His bond had been modified so that the electronic monitoring device that enforced his home detention was removed. The new charges could wipe out the plea deal Miller made with federal authorities, including a recommendation for downward departure of his potential sentence which hinged on his continued cooperation with investigators and the requirement he stay clean. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald declined to discuss specifics but said the new charges have "the potential for a serious impact on the plea agreement." Miller's court-appointed public defender could not be reached Wednesday. If the government opts to revoke the agreement, Miller could face months or years longer in prison time. An officer at the Charleston County Detention Center said he was picked up Wednesday morning by U.S. marshals and moved to an undisclosed location. The Mount Pleasant police report indicates Miller covered a lot of ground prior to his arrest and that he appeared to be heavily intoxicated. He reportedly got into a cab outside of AC's Bar in downtown Charleston and headed toward Mount Pleasant. The cab driver reported that along the way "Mr. Miller kept passing out and would not tell him where his house was." After the cab stopped at the Waffle House, a police officer called to the scene approached Miller inside the restaurant and found him slumped over in a chair, passed out. The scuffle ensued outside a short while later. The police report also describes Miller as being combative, including with the first responder medical officials called to the scene. Miller reportedly spit at personnel and also urinated on the walls of his cell when he was taken to the county jail. Ravenel, a one-time rising star in the GOP before the scandal, has stayed mostly out of sight since pleading guilty Sept. 6 to one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine. At the time of his pleas, he testified to holding parties at his Charleston house where the drug was used. Miller testified he brought the drug to Ravenel's home. Ravenel is awaiting sentencing. No date has been set. Authorities are also still looking for Pasquale Pellicoro, a Ravenel friend and one-time local wine expert charged with conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine in the case. His last public contact was in September when he said he was in Switzerland. He has not been heard from since. Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 29 comment(s)
Posted by My_50Cents_Worth on December 6, 2007 at 3:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is this newsworthy?
Posted by mggoose2000 on December 6, 2007 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My_50Cents_Worth:
It's newsworthy because we see how the judicial system works.
If this man is such a threat to society, why was he out on the streets? They made a deal with this person to try and reach the "kingpn", major distributor.
Miller and Ravenel are small fish in a big pond. Can you imagine if the authorites actually landed the "big one". It certainly wouldn't stem the flow of drugs; another would just take his place. The only thing that would happen; the public would think that the authorities were actually making progress in the "fight againt drugs".
One day, maybe, the public will realize that the government doesn't want to stop the drugs. Our laws are written to protect the criminal, not the victim or the small fry that get busted.
Our prisons are full of small time drug dealers that were afraid to "rat" on the "kingpin" for fear of being killed.
They either were unable to aquire adequate defense or they were sentenced as an example. All this while the rich and famous or the "kingpin" drug dealer with all the money get preferrential treatment.
Posted by desspec on December 6, 2007 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd say this person who supplied a pound of cocaine got some preferrential treatment, and stupidly blew it.
Posted by RTC on December 6, 2007 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So many people were up in arms because this man sat in jail for so long before he was finally released.
Now one can see why he should not have been let out at all.
Posted by msplacedinsc on December 6, 2007 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's newsworthy because we live in Charleston, SC. We are not Atlanta, NY, Boston, DC,. We are a small city with very little local news. So it's gonna hit the paper here.
Posted by da9 on December 6, 2007 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, we're packin' the cells full of drug dealers and letting all the rapists, molesters, theives and murderers go with shorter sentences. Hopefully they couldn't fit this guy in because they are locking away a stalker or child molester. Society should realize that the "war on drugs" is more or less a waste of time and money. Seems like we're never going to win this one, right? We should focus more on violent crimes than petty drug dealers. Let's lock up some human abusers rather than drug abusers-make some room!
Posted by Grandoaksgoon on December 6, 2007 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I applaud P&C for this story. When this was "news" the whole story was how the rich white defendant would get off and his black co-conspirator would get the shaft. This incident shows that this dealer is not just a pawn caught up in Ravenel's nightmare, he is actually a menace to society and deserves exactly what he gets. Did he attempt to go to rehab or make changes in his life? Did he try to use this as a positive experience? No, he acted as he always did. Ravenel is slime and so is this guy, but at least Ravenel is trying to move forward.
Posted by burton on December 6, 2007 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Idiot! By the way, a lot of guys in the Taj Mahal on Leeds are in there for child support! Most of the drug dealers get little time or they cop a plea where they get probation.
Posted by Test2007 on December 6, 2007 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe I missed it, but how is Ravenel moving forward?
Posted by Grandoaksgoon on December 6, 2007 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Test2007 :By not ending up drunk at the waffle house at 2am assaulting people. By going to rehab and laying low. Wait, I already know what you are going to say... At least he had the money for rehab.. What can I say?
Posted by MinoritySouth on December 6, 2007 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow this is so menacing. It is like this young man is doing this for the fame…....
He was drunk at the Waffle House!! What a shame. Wait a minute, I have been drunk in the Waffle House once or twice myself, never mind...
Well, I don't understand why the suspect punched his buddy in the face who was helping him into a taxi??
It must be just me but this story just doesn't have a natural sequence of events... I mean, there is no law against getting a Waffle House fix after a nite of alcohol indulgence..?? Also if he was so drunk, at what point did he call a taxi and at what point did the officer become this man's buddy and decided to help him into the Taxi and what kind of help did the nice officer give this guy?? Hum..??? suspect...
Any who...
My suggestion to this young man is to complete his obligations to the State of South Carolina and any Federal obligations and move out of SC because he certainly will not have the sort of peace and tranquility his cohort enjoys..
Posted by mizzmadison on December 6, 2007 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
burton, you're absolutely right! What an idiot?????
Personally, his bond should have been much higher.
Simply because, he is a repeat offended!
Here goes another slap on the wrist folks......
Posted by RTC on December 6, 2007 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe that anyone would defend this guy. He could have been charged with public intoxication, but the cop was nice enough to call the jerk a taxi, and then he gets punched in the face for his effort. Watch him screw up again, and I bet no police officer will be so nice the next time.
Posted by Test2007 on December 6, 2007 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, I am positive Ravenel is the innocent one in the whole scheme. How much you wanna bet someone put a gun to his head and made him use drugs? This guy is a dealer and was drunk off his butt at a waffle house so obviously he makes Ravenel look good. Grandoak, you're damn right thats what I was going to say. Celebrity druggies like britney and lindsay pay BIG to go to rehab, so do people like Ravenel. Where do you think the regular druggies go? Black or white, their butts are in jail. Oh pardon me, lindsay did spend 84 minutes in jail. Nicole Ritchie spent what? 15 minutes? Sorry, you won't get my sympathy. People don't realize it but rehab is not free buddy. You PAY out of pocket for it.
Posted by sumDJiam on December 6, 2007 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The cop didnt call the jerk a taxi, the jerks friend put the jerk in the cab. the cab driver couldnt get the jerk to tell him where he lived so the cab stopped at the waffle house which is at the entrance of belle hall plantation, where the jerk currently resides. YEAH, watch him screw up AGAIN...
Posted by yeahright on December 6, 2007 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NA doesn't cost a dime. There's help out there. You have to want it. It's not at A.C.'s
Posted by sumDJiam on December 6, 2007 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didnt even go to ac's that nite, til the bar was closing. I was looking for a buddy of mine.
Posted by lillycollette on December 6, 2007 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Has anyone looked at the State and Region article --
3 nominated for judgeship.
Posted by yeahright on December 6, 2007 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was refering to Test2007
Posted by JackWebb on December 6, 2007 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Early:
Quick civics lesson so you don't embarrass yourself any more. These are FEDERAL charges. Scarlett Wilson is a COUNTY (i.e. state/local) Solicitor. Her office had nothing to do with any aspect of this case, much like you and a 3rd grade textbook. Go back to school. Someone else can deliver those pizzas. Grind your axe somewhere where people aren't affected by your mind blowing ignorance.
Posted by yeahright on December 6, 2007 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sumDJiam...I just put 2 and 2 together...sorry, I'm a little slow. Best of luck.
Posted by sumDJiam on December 6, 2007 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
haha, thanx, i'm gonna need it after this stunt i pulled.
Posted by BillMan on December 6, 2007 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sumDJiam,
You are NOT Hash Miller, there is no way you could be in federal custody and using a computer to post at the jail, the article states that the Feds have taken you back into custody and you are back in prison! Quit trying to impersonate Hash Miller, if you are tell us something to prove it!
Posted by sumDJiam on December 7, 2007 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just got released, idiot. the govt. put me back on house arrest. how you like that.
Posted by sumDJiam on December 7, 2007 at 1:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I never said i was in jail using the computer. haha, you have no idea the kinds of favors a guy like me can get. Wait until sentencing, you'll see that i will be in a shirt and tie and not prison issue uniform. and no not because they let me dress up b4 court. haha. They'll most likely catch me on camera on my way in.
Posted by BillMan on December 7, 2007 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HM,
So my boy at the PD tells me they got video of several other peops and a new round of inditements are on the way, what they telling you! I know Rav was giving it out to legislators etc. at his house, who else would be there! They mentioning names to you? Typical Repulican Party scandal, dems will be back in power after this, mark my words! Who they after?
Posted by sumDJiam on December 7, 2007 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
they aint tellin me much, cuz all i ever do i run my mouth and jeapordize sht. Ravenel talked about alot of peeps who were there but they never got indicted, prolly never will. The informant gave info on me,ravenel, and pasquale, and it seems that they just stopped there. they interviewed others that partyed with us, but theyre not in trouble, go figure, they were doing the same things we are charged of.
Posted by BillMan on December 7, 2007 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a waste of time, cocaine use is a victimless crime, what someone does in their life is their business as long as it don't hurt no one! The only thing I care to see come out of this is for the republican gov. and all the republican officials being brought down along with Rav! I know that's who was at his house at the parties! Other than that these guys all deserve probation, waste of my tax money! Let's fight real crime!
Posted by sumDJiam on December 7, 2007 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah! This all seems to be a smear campaign to me. The SLED agents, and FBI agents were just lookin to pick a fight they could win, instead of war on drugs, how bout we bully the prominent people doing drugs. We'll never get the big guy thats selling it, so lets go get the big guy thats using it...