TRUMBULL COUNTY Ex-jailer facing prison for bribery conviction

Miller was bribed by a federal inmate in the county jail who wanted to escape.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A former Trumbull County corrections officer convicted of a bribery charge is scheduled to be sentenced June 21.
Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court scheduled the sentencing moments after a jury convicted Michelle Miller, 40. The jurors deliberated about four hours before reaching a verdict Friday afternoon.
A sobbing Miller was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after the judge revoked her $50,000 bond. The judge ordered her to be placed in the county jail until sentencing.
Miller, who quit the sheriff's department in September 2003, could receive up to 10 years in prison.
Officials say Miller was bribed by a federal inmate in the county jail who wanted to escape. The sheriff's department houses federal inmates on the jail's fourth floor.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere said the investigation was handled by the FBI.
Related case
Last week, a co-defendant in Miller's case, Michael Battee, 35, a former jailer, pleaded guilty to one count each of complicity to commit escape and dereliction of duty and seven counts of bribery.
He will be sentenced after a background check by the county adult probation department. He could face a maximum of 40 years in prison on all the charges.
Battee testified against Miller at her trial.
His charge of dereliction of duty stems from his relationship with a woman who served time in the county jail, officials say.
Officials say the inmate told the jailers he would give them $40,000 if they helped him escape, officials said.
Miller also had been facing a charge of complicity to escape, but prosecutors dismissed that count Monday. Chuck Morrow, an assistant county prosecutor handling the case, declined to comment on the dismissal.
sinkovich@vindy.com