Jun 16, 2015 3 min read

A former Washington County deputy sheriff was sentenced Monday to 2 years of probation and 100 hours of community service after pleading guilty to selling a prescription drug to an informant working with the attorney general’s office.

Matthew Miller, 30, of 215 Cole School Road, Jefferson Township, Avella, was arrested June 3, 2014, after he reportedly sold Suboxone, a prescription drug, to an informant working with the attorney general’s office near the Bavington exit of Route 22 in Robinson Township.

An investigation revealed that Miller allegedly purchased oxycodone from the informant in front of Washington County Courthouse while he was on duty as a deputy in uniform. Miller was removed from the schedule about three months prior to his arrest after failing to pass a probationary period when he was made a full-time deputy.

Last April, agents from the attorney general’s office were interviewing a person regarding an ongoing investigation when that suspect provided information about his drug customers, including Miller.

The informant told investigators he or his girlfriend delivered oxycodone to Miller for at least two years. He claimed Miller would drive to his Coraopolis home but that on many occasions, the informant would drive to Miller’s home and meet at different roadside parking spots. The informant told agents he also drove to the courthouse.

The informant agreed to work with investigators. He contacted Miller, who said he did not have enough money to purchase oxycodone because his hours had been cut at the sheriff’s office. Miller reportedly told the informant he was selling Suboxone and asked if he would be interested in purchasing the drug. Miller allegedly told the other man that the price would be $40 per strip. The informant agreed, and the pair met. Miller was taken into custody after the exchange.

Suboxone is used to treat addiction to narcotics, especially heroin.

Miller was hired in September 2008 as a part-time deputy and he became full time in July 2013, with a salary of $38,000. He failed, however, to pass his probationary period and was terminated.

Miller pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communications facility before Washington County Judge John F. DiSalle. Miller was sentenced to probation without verdict, which is similar to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program that allows a defendant to have his criminal record expunged following the successful completion of the program.

Miller has been free on $500,000 bond since his arrest.