San Benito County Deputy Charged, Booked Over Alleged AR-15 Loan to 17-Year-Old

Overview

• Sheriff Eric Taylor said in a video posted Tuesday that the Santa Clara County District Attorney obtained a warrant charging Deputy Ryan Miller with one felony under Penal Code 30600(a) and one misdemeanor under 27505(a).
• Miller coordinated with his attorney, surrendered to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, and was booked into the county jail.
• The case began with an anonymous tip alleging Miller lent an AR-15-style rifle and ammunition at a private dinner in Gilroy, and a retired DEA agent retrieved the weapon from the teen’s family and turned it over to authorities.
• Taylor placed Miller on administrative leave and opened an internal affairs probe, then notified Gilroy’s interim police chief because the alleged conduct occurred in that city, prompting a separate criminal investigation.
• Taylor said the Peace Officer Bill of Rights limits what the sheriff’s office can release about the personnel case, and noted the felony count covers giving or lending an assault weapon while the misdemeanor bars transfers to people under 21, which could bring prison time if convicted.