In February 2020, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office in Jefferson City dropped second-degree murder and other felony charges against James Scott Miller, of Marshall. The special prosecutor appointed to the case said “the evidence in this case did not warrant charges.”

However, 58-year-old Miller now is facing multiple felony charges after a routine traffic stop this week in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

According to the Murfreesboro Police Department, on Wednesday, February 9, officers conducted a traffic stop on a U-Haul when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign.

A police K9 alerted officers to the odor of narcotics. A search of the vehicle allegedly yielded eight ounces of Heroin/Fentanyl; 15.9 grams of crack cocaine; seven Ecstasy pills; a loaded AR rifle; a loaded pistol; drug paraphernalia; and more than $670,000 in cash.

Police arrested Miller (the driver) and 31-year-old Samantha Ortega, of Missouri.

They are facing felonies for manufacturing, distributing, selling and possessing Schedule I and II drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Miller also is charged with a felony for possession of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.

Miller is being held on $250,000 bond and Ortega on $200,000 bond at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. They are expected to appear for hearings on Wednesday, May 16, at Rutherford County General Sessions Court.