Lang
11/3/23
A Washington County attempted murder and robbery suspect was given a suspended sentence, but he faces a new charge after allegedly encouraging an underage girl to flash him through a camera at the Washington County Jail.
Washington Police say 19-year-old Jaden Miller of Columbus Junction and 21-year-old Mya Wright of Wheaton Road in Iowa City shot 42-year-old Kenneth James of Coralville outside the Woodridge Apartments on West Adams Street on January 7th of 2022. Miller reportedly approached the driver’s side of James’ vehicle and fired one shot. James drove away, but he crashed his car a short time later and called 9-1-1.
Police say Wright and Miller invited James to Washington under the pretense of conducting a drug deal, but they were actually planning to rob him.
Wright and Miller were each charged with Attempted Murder and 1st Degree Robbery. Wright reached a plea deal and last month was given a ten-year prison sentence on a charge of 2nd Degree Robbery. The Attempted Murder charge was dropped.
Prosecutors had asked for a 25-year prison sentence with a 15-year minimum for Miller, who pleaded guilty to the robbery charge last month. But because Miller was a 17-year-old juvenile at the time of the shooting, a sentencing court instead opted for a suspended 25 year sentence and placement into the One Eighty Zone Residential Facility.
However, Miller faces a new charge of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor after he allegedly encouraged a 17-year-old to flash her breasts at him via jail video chat on Halloween night and made frequent mention of conducting sexual acts with her. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office notes inmates are warned that all interactions on the video chat are being recorded.
If convicted on the new charge, Miller faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday.