Two Alaska State Troopers, Joseph Miller and Jason Woodruff, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of criminal civil rights violations stemming from an incident in May 2024. According to court documents, both troopers were acting in their official capacity with the Alaska State Troopers when they allegedly deprived a victim of constitutional rights during an encounter on May 24, 2024.
The indictment states that Miller, who served as a Sergeant, tased, hit, and kicked the victim without legal justification. The offense is said to have involved the use of a dangerous weapon and resulted in bodily injury. Woodruff is accused of unreasonably causing and directing his police canine, Olex, to bite the victim while the victim did not pose a threat that would justify such action. This also resulted in bodily injury.
Both Miller and Woodruff are charged with one count each of deprivation of rights under color of law. If convicted, each could face up to ten years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after consideration of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle from the FBI Anchorage Field Office announced the indictment. The FBI Anchorage Field Office is leading the investigation into this case, which will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bradley.
“All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” officials emphasized.