A Norfolk man accused of pointing a handgun at three teenagers and an adult outside the Norfolk Public Library this spring was arrested. Dean Miller, 55, was charged after the confrontation.
Madison County District Judge Ryan Stover scheduled sentencing for Oct. 15 after Miller pleaded guilty to use of a firearm to commit a felony, two counts of terroristic threats and willful reckless driving, according to The Norfolk Daily News. As part of a plea agreement reached in September, the Madison County Attorney’s Office dismissed three additional firearm-use felony counts, two terroristic-threat counts and three child-abuse counts.
The case began shortly after 4 p.m. on April 30, when Norfolk police were dispatched to the library at 308 W. Prospect Ave. after a report that someone was threatening people with a firearm. Officers were told the confrontation grew out of an ongoing dispute involving Miller’s daughter and three juveniles who attended school together, according to KTIV.
A Harrowing Scene in the Parking Lot
Witnesses told investigators Miller drove through the library parking lot at a high rate of speed, nearly striking a woman carrying a child, per 1011 Now. Miller then got out of his vehicle, removed a handgun and pointed it at the group, causing them to fear for their safety, the station reported.
Miller immediately surrendered to officers at the scene and told them he had a concealed-carry permit, the station’s report notes. Police later recovered a 9mm SCCY handgun from the driver’s-side door pocket of his vehicle, and security footage corroborated the victims’ accounts of the confrontation, the same account states.
From Dozens of Years Exposure to a Plea Deal
At his original arrest, Miller faced four counts of terroristic threats, four counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and three counts of child abuse with no injury, as previously reported. After pleading guilty, Miller faced a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 56 years at sentencing; before changing his pleas, he faced 20 to 221 years, the Norfolk Daily News reported.
The sentence imposed broke down by count: five to seven years for use of a firearm to commit a felony, one year for each terroristic-threats conviction, and 90 days for reckless driving, with all sentences running consecutively. Miller also had his driver’s license revoked for one year. Deputy Madison County Attorney Matthew Kiernan had recommended consecutive sentences on each count, while defense attorney Brad Ewalt represented Miller in the case.
Victims Describe Lasting Fear
The adult victim testified that Miller frightened two girls, ages 15 and 14, with the gun. The 15-year-old testified she continued looking over her shoulder after the incident, while the 14-year-old said vehicles resembling Miller’s now remind her of him and frighten her.
Judge Stover told Miller his conduct was unacceptable before handing down the sentence.
