An Asheville man pleaded guilty Monday to looting and other felony charges for crimes committed shortly after Helene, the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office said.

What You Need To Know

  •  Dennis Miller, 33, of Asheville pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges Monday in Buncombe County Superior Court

  •  Charges include habitual breaking and entering, breaking and entering, looting, flee to elude arrest and assault on a law enforcement officer with physical injury

  •  Authorities said Miller tried to escape officer on a stolen motorcycle after he was found violating the city's emergency curfew

Dennis Miller, 33, of Asheville, pleaded guilty to habitual breaking and entering, breaking and entering, looting, flee to elude arrest and assault on a law enforcement officer with physical injury.

Miller was arrested around 8:30 on the night of Oct. 8, 2024 in the River Arts District after officers said he was seen violating the city of Asheville’s 7:30 p.m. emergency curfew. The curfew was put into effect because of the flooding impacts from the French Broad River brought on by Helene.

Miller tried to escape officers on a motorcycle, according to a release, which was later found to be stolen. Officers said Miller had also been looting buildings throughout the area, including beer from the Marquee Asheville at 36 Foundy Street.

The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused historic flooding Sept. 27 in the North Carolina mountains, including in Asheville. The French Broad River crested at more than 24 feet in Asheville, damaging and destroying much of the city's River Arts District.

“This office will vigorously prosecute anyone who exploits our community during its recovery from a natural disaster. Preying on residents when they are most traumatized and defenseless is unconscionable and we will hold criminal opportunists accountable,” District Attorney Todd Williams said in a release.

Miller has been sentenced to 48-80 months in the N.C. Department of Corrections following his plea.