Scranton officer charged for alleged assault

OFF THE WIRE

Scranton Ptlm. Mark Miller leaves his arraignment on Thursday, June 16.

SCRANTON – A current Scranton patrolman faces charges including official oppression after an alleged incident Sunday, June 12, at The V Spot, 906 Providence Rd., Scranton.

Mark Miller, 32, of Prospect Ave., faces one count each of terroristic threats, official oppression, disorderly conduct and harassment, and two counts of simple assault in charges filed June 16.

According to an affidavit:

The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s office received a report written by Scranton Sgt. Timothy Charles about the physical altercation at the V Spot on June 14.

Miller, along with Brian Gannon and Christopher Kahanic, attempted to enter the bar while carrying alcohol, according to security guard Matthew Sobieski. Miller and Gannon said that they were “Scranton cops,” and Gannon allegedly showed him a fake badge as he is not employed by the department.

Miller allegedly told Sobieski that he was going to “punch him in the face” when he was asked to show his police badge a second time. He then began fighting with Robert Ruddy, an off-duty security guard for the bar, and Michelle Smolskis. Miller allegedly punched the two and was “stepping on their chests.”

Lackawanna County Detective John Munley interviewed Sobieski after reviewing the report. He told Munley that when the men refused to leave after they approached the door carrying alcohol, he warned them that he would call police.

http://www.timesleader.com/golackawanna/news/Scranton_officer_charged_for_alleged_assault_06-19-2011.html
“Oh yeah, (expletive), I’m a Scranton cop,” Miller allegedly replied.

Miller also allegedly told Sobieski that “if anything happens to him, he will ‘(expletive) Mr. Sobieski up,’” according to the affidavit.

“I will make your life a living hell. I will pull you over every time I could. I will arrest you and put you in jail for the rest of your life,” Miller allegedly continued. “I will kill you.”

Sobieski told the detective that “he was in fear for his life at this time.”

Surveillance footage showed Miller showing his badge in an attempt to enter the bar and striking Smolskis and Ruddy.

Miller offered no comment as he left his arraignment on Thursday afternoon. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

Gannon, 27, is charged with one count each of simple assault, impersonating a public official, disorderly conduct and harassment. He was arraigned June 17 and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

Kahanic, 26, was arraigned June 17 on disorderly conduct and harassment charges and released on his own recognizance.

Prelimi nary hearings for the men are set for June 22.

Scranton Police Chief Dan Duffy said Miller is currently on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

http://www.timesleader.com/golackawanna/news/Scranton_officer_charged_for_alleged_assault_06-19-2011.html