Wade backer object of narcotic surveillance
September 2, 1988
by Mike Wheeler
Staff Reporter
SHERMAN - A long-time supporter of suspended Orange County Sheriff James Wade was identified Wednesday as a suspect in a gun and drug running operation.
During testimony Wednesday, former Orange County Sheriff's Department Special Services Division Capt. Wayne Dial said Frank D. Miller Jr. of Vidor was the subject of surveillance and a suspect in Illegal activities, but said a leak of information concerning the case compromised officers and the surveillance was stopped.
Dial, now a county patrol deputy after a voluntary reduction in rank, has testified that leaks in the narcotics division had also compromised other cases officers had underway.
According to Dial, the department's Criminal Investigation Division Capt. Larry Franklin ran a ran a computer license check on an undercover car the narcotics officers were using in order to watch Miller, known at the first only as "Frankie Don," during the investigation into the illegal operations.
Dial said "Frankie Don" was later identified as Miller and Dial publicly identified Miller during the former captain's testimony Wednesday.
Although Dial said Wednesday that there was "a lot of animosity" between the CID and SSD departments, he did not know how Franklin could have known County narcotics officers had miller under surveillance unless the information had been leaked from someone inside the department.
Miller has been a staunch supporter of Wade and his family during the suspended sheriff's problems that began when Wade was identified last January as the target of a federal investigation.
Miller was indicted along with two other men for delivery of an unspecified amount of marijuana at a Beaumont motel in 1977. According to Jefferson County district clerk records, Miller pleaded guilty to the charge in January 1979 and was sentenced to eight years' probation and an $800 fine.
A constant companion to Wade's wife, Neva, since last January, Miller also has delivered subpoenas for Wade's attorneys as they prepare to oppose the government's attorneys as they prepare to oppose the government's case against Wade and has assisted the attorneys in other jobs relating to Wade's case.
Miller laughed, but would not comment Wednesday when questioned about the allegations.
Wade has been charged with drug trafficking, embezzlement of Orange County funds and obstructing justice. The sheriff's trial began in Grayson County on August 15 and concludes third week of testimony today.
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