Winfield man's sentence delayed for organ donation
A Winfield Township man who allegedly pretended to have a bomb in an attempt to rob a pharmacy — claiming to want painkillers for his ailing brother — has had his prison sentence postponed for nearly a year because he says he hopes to donate a kidney to that brother.
According to court records, Kenneth K. Miller, 30, walked into the Colonial Pharmacy in Buffalo Township on Oct. 28, 2013. With him was a black bag containing what onloookers believed was a bomb.
Miller claimed he wanted painkillers for his brother. But, court records say, he apologized and left after he was told the narcotics were “locked up.”
Shortly after the failed robbery attempt, police found Miller and his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck next to a nearby garbage bin, according to court documents. Appearing nervous and still wearing the hood of his sweatshirt over his head, Miller reportedly confessed when approached by officers, according to court records.
Police found the device Miller had taken into the pharmacy and later determined it was not capable of exploding,
However, in the same toolbox investigators uncovered a .22-caliber magnum pistol.
Miller on June 11, 2014, pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony count of robbery. In exchange for the plea, the prosecution is prepared to recommend a sentence that puts Miller in state prison for up to five years.
Since then, Miller has been free having posted $100,000 bond, and he has had his sentencing postponed six times because he says he is waiting to donate a kidney to his brother.
He most recently appeared in court Wednesday, telling Butler County Judge William Shaffer that his brother is in stage three renal failure. The transplant is being delayed until the brother’s heart is strong enough to withstand a surgery.
“I’m losing my brother. I’m really trying,” he told the judge.
Taking note of the extended delay, Judge Shaffer agreed to postpone the sentencing until June. However, the judge said in the meantime he would investigate the possibility of incarcerating Miller and then giving him a furlough when the surgery is scheduled.
After court, Miller deferred questions to his attorney Patrick Thomassey, who could not be reached.
