Sanostee man accused of kicking cops, damaging patrol vehicle following DWI arrest

• Miller is accused of kicking two police officers in the leg.
• Police wrote Miller caused damage to a patrol vehicle door by kicking it repeatedly.
• His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

FARMINGTON — A Sanostee man is accused of kicking two police officers and damaging a police vehicle while being transported to jail after being arrested for aggravated driving while under the influence.

Jaycee Miller, 29, was charged in Farmington Magistrate Court on 10 charges, including two counts of felony battery on a peace officer, a felony count of criminal damage to property (over $1,000) and five petty misdemeanor charges, according to court records. 

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He was also charged with two misdemeanor charges of aggravated DWI and assault on a peace officer (attempted battery).

Miller was arrested by Farmington Police Department officers in the early morning of June 21 in the parking lot of the Walmart at 1400 W. Main St., according to court documents.

Miller allegedly lunged towards an officer with his arm raised "as if to throw a punch" after failing to comply with a field sobriety test, law enforcement officers wrote in a probable cause statement. 

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Theresa Walker, Miller's public defender, declined comment on the case. She said she just started working on it.

The officer pulled out his stun gun and pointed it at Miller as officers placed two sets of handcuffs on Miller, according to court documents.

An officer earlier saw the vehicle Miller was driving did not have its headlights on while heading westbound on West Main Street. They followed the vehicle into the Walmart parking lot. 

Once handcuffed, Miller allegedly refused to sit in the back of the patrol vehicle, resisting for about two to five minutes. 

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As officers attempted to pull Miller into the backseat of the patrol vehicle, he allegedly kicked an officer in the shin, according to court documents. 

In response, an officer decided "take (Miller) to the ground to stop his actions."

Miller's arms were lifted while handcuffed, then he and the officer spun in place before Miller fell forward, according to court documents. 

Miller suffered a laceration above his left eyebrow as part of the fall. 

Officers restrained Miller on the ground for about two to five minutes as he continued to resist and allegedly kicked another officer in the shin in the process, according to court documents.

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Miller told police that he was unable to breathe as officers held his limbs down to the ground. The officers then rolled him onto this left side and Miller was able to catch his breath. 

Paramedics on scene started to evaluate Miller but stopped when he told them to leave him alone. 

The officers then picked up Miller and placed him in the back seat of a patrol vehicle on his side and drove him to the San Juan Regional Medical Center emergency room to be evaluated.

Police wrote Miller was aggressively kicking one of the doors of the vehicle as they drove to the ER.

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Miller was cleared by doctors at the ER, and while the officer drove him to the San Juan County Adult Detention Center, Miller was able to kick the door so it would not fully close, according to court documents.

An "alcoholic shooter," an empty Twisted Tea can and an empty bottle of vodka were later found in Miller's car, according to court documents. 

He was incarcerated at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center as of this afternoon on a $10,000 cash/surety bond. 

Miller's preliminary hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in Farmington Magistrate Court. 

Joshua Kellogg covers crime, courts and social issues for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627.