CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF) – Failure to use headlights cost a LaFollette man a trip to jail.

On Sept. 20, Campbell County Sheriff’s Det. Sgt. Gary Jeffers saw a silver Ford Fusion traveling on Hwy 25W at Caryville without its headlights on traveling in the second lane of travel. A report from the sherriff’s department inclement weather necessitated the constant use of windshield wipers. Jeffers was traveling in the first lane and attempted to slow down under 20 mph so he could make a lane change and initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The Ford Fusion abruptly pulled to the shoulder and stopped. This forced Jeffers to pull to the shoulder of the road with his emergency equipment activated in front of the Ford Fusion.

Jeffers went to the car to speak with the driver where he found Sean Aaron Miller behind the wheel. He immediately noticed an uncapped, bloody syringe laying in his lap along with blood dripping from his left arm. He was also allegedly sweating and appeared to be possibly under the influence. Jeffers also saw a large hunting knife approximately 14 inches long laying at Miller’s feet along with an additional knife in the center storage area of the car.

Miller was advised by Jeffers to put the syringe on the dash and get out of the car. At this point Miller allegedly became angry and refused to get out of the car and demanded that “Officer Jefferson” activate a body camera and Long (referencing Captain John Long) to come to the scene. Jeffers attempted to reach inside the car and open the door due to the exterior door handle being gone from the door. Once the door was open, Miller was told to get out of the vehicle when he began to actively resist arrest by jerking his arms away while cursing and attempting to punch Jeffers. During this time Jeffers began to strike Miller in the face with his fist at which point Miller leaned sideways in the car and kicked Jeffers in the left side of his face with his right foot as well as his upper torso.

Jeffers was able to place Miller in an ankle lock and restrain his leg against the middle pillar of the car until additional officers arrived to assist.

Once Miller was restrained, Long requested Sgt. Barton come to the scene to deploy his canine. Once on scene, the canine alerted on the vehicle. A search of the car revealed a corner piece of a plastic baggie laying in the driver’s side floorboard containing a residue believe to be Heroin, a pair of green metal knuckles and a Marijuana pipe.

While waiting for the arrival of the transport unit, Miller repeatedly insisted, in an alleged profanity based rant, that he hadn’t assaulted the officer.

Miller, 41, 907 E Prospect Street, LaFollette was charged with violation light law, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of prohibited weapons, violation of TN financial law and violation registration law.

According to jail records, this was the 18th time Miller has been arrested. He remains housed in the Campbell County Jail this morning on a $75,000 secure bond and has a court date of Oct. 5. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/30/2021-6AM)

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