PORT TOWNSEND — A Port Townsend High School teacher who has been banned from school property is in custody after he threatened the school principal and then returned to his former classroom, police said.
The teacher, James Keith Miller, 52, had been placed on leave earlier in the year, said Detective Luke Bogues, spokesman for the Port Townsend Police Department.
Miller was forcibly detained and removed from school grounds at about noon Friday, Bogues said.
Miller was booked for investigation of felony harassment and second-degree burglary.
He remained in custody Saturday with no bail set. He is scheduled for an initial appearance in Jefferson County Superior Court at
11 a.m. Monday.
No staff or students were injured, Bogues said, though some told police they were alarmed by Miller’s behavior and swearing.
Principal Carrie Ehrhardt sent a statement to parents Friday informing them of the incident and offered counseling for students who might have been affected by the incident.
“While he did not do anything to threaten the students, when he refused to exit at the request of law enforcement, he was removed,” Ehrhardt said in the letter.
Once law enforcement was in the classroom, substitute teacher John DeGarmo, who was in the classroom with the students, led students to the school library for the remainder of the class period, Ehrhardt said.
She said current and former school resource officers Officer Jeremy Vergin and Sgt. Garin Williams spoke with the students in the library and answered their questions.
The school offered counseling to the students immediately after the incident and encouraged them to call home to speak with parents if needed.
“There will be counseling available for any student who would like to speak in confidence with our school counselors. If needed, additional counselors can be brought into the school next week,” she said.
Death threat
Police said it was the second incident of the day involving Miller.
School officials reported that Miller threatened the school principal during an off-campus meeting Friday morning.
At the meeting, which took place at a downtown restaurant, Miller became disruptive and threatened to kill Ehrhardt, Bogues said.
A plainclothes officer was seated in another part of the restaurant to keep the peace and was informed of the threats after Miller left, Bogues said.
According to the police report, Miller drove from the meeting to the high school campus, where he entered his former classroom. A class was in session.
Officers said Miller began removing personal items, including photographs, from the wall and appeared to be talking on his cellphone.
They also said he described personal details of his life to students and asked the teenagers whether anyone had been talking about him since he was placed on leave.
Students in the classroom and those in adjoining rooms told police they heard Miller shouting and using foul language.
Officer Vergin arrived at the classroom within minutes of learning Miller had returned.
At Vergin’s request, Miller placed a folded pocketknife, which he held in his hand, on a desk, Bogues said.
“[Vergin] told [Miller] to turn around and place his hands behind his back, and he did not cooperate,” Bogues said.
Bogues said Vergin eventually handcuffed Miller.
DeGarmo and the students were able to leave the classroom as additional officers arrived.
On Saturday, Bogues said the burglary investigation does not indicate Miller was attempting to steal anything from the school.
Under Washington RCWs, burglary is defined as entering a property or structure with the intent to commit a crime and does not indicate intent for theft.
In this case, the crime was simply Miller entering a building where he was knew he was not allowed to enter, Bogues said.
Third incident
It was the third incident involving Miller since early February, Bogues said Saturday.
On Feb. 4, police escorted Miller off campus and took him to Jefferson Healthcare hospital in Port Townsend. From there, he was referred to Jefferson Mental Health Services.
“It was believed he was suffering from some kind of mental health episode,” Bogues said.
Miller was told at that time he was banned from returning to the campus, Bogues said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
