Actor T.J. Miller called 911 to falsely claim that a woman he got into an argument with over loud cellphone conversations on a train had a bomb in her luggage, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
The former Silicon Valley actor was arrested Monday at LaGuardia Airport in New York and released on $100,000 bond after an initial appearance in federal court in New Haven, Connecticut, on Tuesday.
The federal public defender who represented Miller did not immediately return a call for comment. A message left with a representative was not immediately returned and the voicemail box for Miller's cellphone was full and could not accept messages.
"I am worried for everyone on that train..."
Miller called in the false bomb information on March 18 after getting into what an Amtrak worker called a "screaming match" with a woman on a train traveling from Washington to New York, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said he at first gave the wrong train number and investigators found no explosives after stopping and evacuating passengers from a train in Westport, Connecticut.
Investigators called Miller back and he said the woman kept checking her bag without taking anything out and seemed to want to get off the train and leave her bag behind.
"I am worried for everyone on that train," investigators said Miller told police. "Someone has to check that lady out."
They stopped and removed passengers from the correct train and also didn't find explosives.
Miller wasn't on the train because he was removed in New York by Amtrak staff who suspected he was drunk after having multiple alcoholic beverages, prosecutors said.
A train attendant said that Miller "had been involved in hostile exchanges" with a woman in a different row of the first class car over loud cellphone conversations.
Monday's arrest wasn't Miller's first brush with the law.
Sexual Assault allegations
He was arrested in Los Angeles in December 2016 after a confrontation with a driver.
The Deadpool actor was also accused of sexual assault last December. A woman came forward to share her story of what she endured at the hands of the star.
She alleged that they were in college and "fooling around" when Miller began "shaking her violently" then punched her in the mouth.
"He just tried a lot of things without asking me, and at no point asked me if I was all right," the woman told The Daily Beast. "He choke[d] me, and I kept staring at his face hoping he would see that I was afraid and [that he] would stop... I couldn't say anything."
The victim, who didn't reveal her name out of fear of retribution, said she reported the incident to the campus authorities, and her case even made it to the student court.
The trial lasted for several weeks, and in the end, she was told that the case had been resolved without any explanation as to how they did it.
She told The Daily Beast that she came forward again after being inspired by the #MeToo and Time's Up movements.
Miller and his wife released a joint statement on Instagram denying the allegations. They shared on Instagram that the woman was angry because she was "was asked to leave our university comedy group because of worrisome and disturbing behavior."
The couple revealed that they have known the woman for more than a decade because they were in college together, and she allegedly tried to break them apart back then.
"We are confident that a full consideration of accounts from and since that time will shed light and clarity on the true nature of not only this person's character, but also on the real facts of the matter," the Millers wrote.
They continued, "[She]began again to circulate rumors online once [my and Kate's] relationship became public. Sadly she is now using the current climate to bandwagon and launch these false accusations again."
"It is unfortunate that she is choosing this route as it undermines the important movement to make women feel safe coming forward about legitimate claims against real known predators."
However, it was revealed that the unidentified woman wasn't the first to come forward with accusations against Miller.
A history of violence
Since the early 2000s, rumors about the actor's behavior have been floating around.
He has privately joked about violence against women, according to three people who have worked with him. This is why apparently why some females in the comedy world have refused to work with him.
Comedian Lauren Ashley Bishop backed up the accuser's story on Twitter, and revealed that Miller had previously threatened her while she was seeking a restraining order against her ex, who happened to be Miller's friend.
"TJ called the night before my restraining order hearing with my abusive stalking ex who was his buddy." Bishop tweeted. "He threatened to destroy my career if i went through with it. I won the restraining order anyway. I know this girl. believe her."
TJ called the night before my restraining order hearing with my abusive stalking ex who was his buddy. he threatened to destroy my career if i went through with it. i won the restraining order anyway. i know this girl. believe her. https://t.co/1GkoNAQIGi
— lauren ashley bishop (@sbellelauren) December 19, 2017
Still, there are many people who have known Miller over the years and came to his defense.
"I've known T.J. since college, always known him to be a very caring person, and respectful, particularly toward women," one friend said. "And he loves his wife very, very much."
His popularity and star power don't seem to be affected by these allegations thus far.
What's next?
He is set to reprise his role as Weasel in the upcoming film Deadpool 2 alongside Ryan Reynolds.
In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, producer Lauren Shuler Donner revealed that despite the allegations, Miller won't be cut or re-cast because it's too late.
"We're in the final editing. I don't think so," said Donner.
Aside from the statement, neither Miller nor his team have made any further comments about the assault allegations.
He has also remained silent about his most recent arrest. According to CNN, he of "intentionally conveying to law enforcement false information about an explosive device," but was released on a $100,000 bond.
Miller faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Do you think Miller should do time? Let us know in the comments!
[H/T: Files from AP]
