Seattle cop arrested on assault allegations

A longtime Seattle police officer has been relieved from duty after authorities say he pushed his ex-wife and threatened to kill her boyfriend.

Mill Creek police arrested Officer Felton Miles, 53, for investigation of first-degree burglary, fourth-degree assault and harassment, stemming from the alleged June 28 incident at his ex-wife's home.

The Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office has not decided on charges.

According to a police report, Miles showed up at the home in the 16200 block of 32nd Avenue Southeast unexpectedly. He shouted obscenities before bursting through the door, the report said.

Miles' ex-wife told police she tried to stop him from coming inside, but he shoved her out of the way and walked up to where her new boyfriend was sitting, the report said. The boyfriend claimed that Miles said, "I should kill you!" before he left.

The ex-wife, Tondi Miles, 41, told police that during her 20-year relationship with Miles, she knew him to carry a firearm at all times, the report said.

Seattle police Sgt. Deanna Nollette said Miles turned himself in to Mill Creek police June 29. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail and released that day on $100,000 bond.

Miles' ex-wife has requested a domestic-violence protection order.

Miles could not be reached for comment as of Friday.

Seattle Police Officers Guild President Rich O'Neill said, "We hope everyone would reserve judgment until the legal process plays out. He deserves his day in court."

Nollette said Miles has been with the department 20 years and is assigned to the East Precinct. Seattle police also are investigating the June 28 incident.

It's not the first time Miles has been accused of assault.

Last year, the son of Metropolitan King County Councilman Larry Gossett sued the city, as well as Miles and another officer for allegedly roughing him up.

Langston Gossett said he was standing on his parents' porch and talking on his cellphone last summer when a police car stopped in front of the home. Officer John Knight pulled out his night stick, made Gossett spread his hands on the car, and grabbed Gossett's crotch roughly during the pat-down, forcing him to cry out in pain, the complaint said.

When Miles showed up, he bent back Gossett's left hand, causing intense pain, and forced him into the back of a cruiser, the complaint said.

The officers' lawyer had said they were investigating a nearby car break-in and that Gossett matched the description of the suspect.

The officers let him go a few minutes later, after the car-prowl victim arrived and said Gossett wasn't the suspect but the son of a county councilman.

A Police Department internal-affairs investigation cleared the officers of wrongdoing.

Earlier this year, Gossett settled the case for $10,000, said his attorney, Daniel Mares. Because of the settlement, a federal civil-rights case was dismissed.

In 1996, former Chief Norm Stamper honored Miles for organizing the East Precinct's Weed and Seed program, helping an unwed mother find food for her family and gathering intelligence on drug dealers and gangs.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com