Officer Edwin MillanCLEVELAND, Tenn. - Cleveland Police Department officer Edwin Millan is now facing arson-related charges in Murray County, Ga., after being arrested for insurance fraud in Bradley County on Wednesday.
Deputies were scheduled to bring Millan in to face charges, Capt. Shannon Ramsey of the Murray County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday afternoon.
Bert Poston, district attorney for the Conasauga Judicial Circuit, which includes Murray County, declined to discuss any charges against Millan.
"According to Georgia law, we are not allowed to discuss the facts and circumstances of a pending case," Poston said.
In Bradley County, Millan was indicted on charges of insurance fraud over $10,000, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false report, according to Steve Crump, district attorney for the 10th Judicial District.
The case against Millan began as an investigation into the burning of his 2011 Chrysler 300, which was found on fire in Murray County near Highway 225 on May 16. The Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office and Murray County authorities cooperated in the investigation, Crump said in a news release.
"This was a difficult case to investigate," said Crump. "The agencies involved thoroughly investigated this matter and worked seamlessly together to bring the investigation to a conclusion."
Crump thanked Ramsey and Assistant Murray County District Attorney Benjamin Kenemer for being "incredibly helpful" to the investigation.
Two other men - Marco Antonio Molina-Enriquez and Arturo Contreras - were indicted in Bradley County on charges of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and presenting a false or fraudulent insurance claim over the value of $10,000.
The Bradley County charges are all felonies, Crump said.
As of Wednesday evening, Contreras had not been apprehended. Crump said anyone who knows his whereabouts should call 911 or local law enforcement.
Ramsey said all three men are expected to face first-degree arson charges in Murray County.
According to a Cleveland police report filed May 17, Millan stated that his car was stolen from outside his apartment the night before. Millan told investigators he did not know who might have taken the vehicle, which he valued at $25,000.
Ramsey said the Chrysler 300 was found late at night on May 16 in a wooded area, fully engulfed in flames. After the fire was out, Ramsey said, he noticed a partially burned gas can in the car.
Interim Cleveland Police Chief Mark Gibson asked Crump to become involved the day after Millan filed the stolen vehicle report.
Gibson "had significant questions about the report and felt that the matter should receive additional scrutiny," Crump said.
Millan was placed on paid administrative leave last week. Gibson said the department will begin an internal investigation centered on the existing investigation case file.
"Because of the sensitivity of the situation, we have remained neutral and tried to stay out of the investigation," Gibson said. "Now that charges have been filed, we can move forward with our processes."
City Councilman Richard Banks, who has been critical of Cleveland personnel policies that require waiting periods for disciplinary actions such as suspensions and terminations, cited the Millan case Wednesday.
"In my opinion, Interim Chief Gibson should be able to terminate without pay any individual within the police department who is charged with a felony," Banks said.
The Cleveland City Council is reviewing proposed changes to personnel policies, including the elimination of waiting periods for suspending or firing employees.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.