Former King City acting police chief pleads guilty to towing scheme

King City’s former acting police chief pleaded guilty to his involvement in a car towing scheme targeting undocumented immigrants in 2014, according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.

On Monday, Bruce Miller, 50, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public and giving false statements to the DMV.

Prosecutors said the case centered around officers who were illegally stopping, towing and impounding cars under Miller’s management.

The King City Police Department had a rotational towing policy, yet prosecutors said towing and impounding were largely being funneled directly to Miller’s brother’s towing company called Miller’s Towing.

Prosecutors said it was alleged the impounded cars were either sold at auction or given to lead Officer Bobby Carrillo by Miller. They also said Miller took a free car from Carrillo and gave false information to the DMV, saying he purchased the car for $500.

Miller will be sentenced September 15 where he’ll face a maximum of 18 months in jail.