NJ Sheriff's Son Crashed Into Home With Truck Full Of Heroin, Crack: Documents

PENNSVILLE, NJ — The son of a South Jersey sheriff crashed his speeding vehicle into a Salem County apartment building last month, according to documents Patch obtained. Charles M. Miller IV's pickup truck contained several drugs, including heroin, as he drove under the influence, police said.

Miller's vehicle struck a pole and then hit a multi-family complex at 12:44 a.m. Nov. 18 on North Broadway in Pennsville, according to township police. He was charged with a range of criminal and motor-vehicle offenses.

The Salem City resident had no recollection of the incident, according to the crash report.

The collision displaced three families in the building, according to the property owners.

Miller's vehicle contained 36 bags of suspected heroin, four used bags of suspected heroin wax folds, six viles of suspected crack cocaine, and five Xanax pills, according to the criminal complaint. He also kicked an officer as they arrested him, the document states.

The suspect didn't return Patch's request for comment.

Miller's father, of the same name, is Salem County's sheriff. The county's top cop told Patch that motor-vehicle crashes fall outside of his department's purview and that he has no involvement in the case.

The Pennsville Police Department responded to and investigated the scene.

"I've been involved in law enforcement for 44 years," Sheriff Charles M. Miller told Patch via phone, "and I've really prided myself in not getting involved in any law enforcement matter involving family or friends and allowing the police departments to conduct their independent investigations. Upon their conclusion, whatever happens happens. I think that's the way that most law enforcement officers operate."

Charles M. Miller IV, 32, was charged Nov. 18 via complaint summons with the following criminal offenses:

• two counts of possession of a Schedule 1 substance (suspected heroin and suspected crack cocaine)
• possessing prescription legend drugs (Xanax)
• driving under the influence during a crash
• resisting arrest
• aggravated assault on law enforcement
• reckless endangerment
• creating a nuisance and endangering the safety of others

He also received several motor-vehicle summonses, including careless driving and improper use of the left lane.

According to the crash report, Miller was traveling southbound on North Broadway when he crossed into the northbound lane. His vehicle hit a utility pole — breaking it in half — and then continued into the apartment building.

The residence was quarantined after the crash because of structural and electrical damage, and three families were displaced, according to the property owners.

Cloud 9 Homes — the Pennsville-based business that owns the properties — launched a GoFundMe page Nov. 20 to secure hotel rooms for the displaced families.