ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A man accused of fatally shooting two Kissimmee Police Department officers has been relocated to the Orange County Jail amid a use of force investigation at the Osceola County, where he had been incarcerated, officials said.
Everett Miller, 46, had been in the Osceola County Jail since Aug. 19 after he was arrested in connection with the deaths of Sgt. Sam Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter. On Friday, Miller was booked into the Orange County Jail, records show.
Hope Hicka, a spokeswoman for the Osceola County Jail, said the use of force incident happened on April 1 and staff members felt an internal review was needed.
"Everett Miller was involved in use of force that is currently under an internal investigation. Because it is an ongoing (investigation), I cannot make a statement about it at this time. However, I can confirm that he was moved to Orange County due to the investigation," Hicka said.
Miller's log from the Osceola County Jail show that on April 2, staff members received a tip that Miller was "planning on harming staff when the chance arose."
"Inmate allegedly refused verbal orders given resulting in force being used in order to gain compliance," an officer wrote in the log.
The record did not detail the type of force that was used.
Earlier that same day, Miller told employees that they were treating him "like a zoo animal," according to the record. During that interaction, an officer removed Miller from the medical bay and sent him to have private counseling, the report said.
Documents released earlier this month showed that Miller told a fellow inmate he had no remorse for killing the two officers during an encounter at Palmway and Cypress streets. That inmate said Miller called Baxter and Howard "dirty cops," according to the report.
Miller's brother said he spoke with him about two weeks ago, but does not remember if he mentioned anything about abuse or issues with staff members.
Miller has a status hearing on April 23. He will be taken to the Osceola County courthouse for the hearing and returned to the Orange County Jail, officials said.
Calls and an email were sent to his attorney for comment.
Miller is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting without violence. It's unclear how long he will remain in the Orange County Jail.