Tyler Hamilton, 20, pleaded no contest in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court to lesser gun-related and drug charges. He was sentenced to five years probation and released. He could now, however, face a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted on federal drug charges.
Hamilton was arrested at his girlfriend’s Moraine apartment on suspicion of heroin trafficking, said FBI resident agent Tim Ferguson. He’ll appear before a federal judge Monday. Hamilton is a suspected member of the Zone 6 gang, Ferguson added, and also is a suspect in other shootings where injuries occurred.
Ferguson credited the Safe Streets Task Force and anti-gang initiative, which began to investigate Hamilton after he was sentenced on state charges and released. “The whole purpose is to get violent offenders off the streets,” he said.
In October, Hamilton was arrested following the shooting death of Robert Travis Miller, 19, of Hillsboro. Miller was shot three times in the 2600 block of Falmouth Avenue after arguing with a man who was inside a vehicle. Prior to the shooting, Miller drove to the block on Falmouth accompanied by a 20-year-old woman, also a Hillsboro resident.
Ferguson said it’s believed a drug deal was under way. After the shooting, the woman helped Miller back into their car and drove to Popeyes restaurant on Salem Avenue. The shooter fled in his vehicle. Miller later died.
“Mr. Hamilton was in his motor vehicle, and it appears that (Miller) attacked Mr. Hamilton in some fashion,” Greg Flannagan, spokesman for the county prosecutor, said in October. “Under Ohio’s Castle Doctrine, one is permitted to use whatever force necessary, if you’re in your home, or if you’re in a private vehicle, to defend yourself.”
Leon Daidone, chief of the Montgomery County prosecutor’s criminal division, said Friday: “Obviously, Mr. Hamilton has been involved in illegal activity. If they can get additional charges on him to hold him accountable, I am supportive of that.”
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