Man Facing Murder Charge in Roman Miller Death Sentenced for Drug Offence
Daniel "Juma" Drie Atem, who is currently charged with first-degree murder in the death of Roman Miller, has been sentenced for a separate drug trafficking offence that predates the alleged homicide.
Drug Trafficking Sentence Details
Court documents reveal that Atem, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and received a six-month custodial sentence on January 21. However, after receiving credit for time already served while on remand, his sentence was considered fulfilled—commonly referred to as a "time-served" sentence.
The drug charge stemmed from an incident dated "on or about" June 18, 2022. This occurred more than a year before Roman Miller's death on July 29, 2023. Miller was 32 years old at the time of his passing.
Additional Charges and Legal Proceedings
Atem also faced two additional charges related to the same 2022 incident: possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and possession of over $5,000 in cash obtained through trafficking. These charges were stayed rather than withdrawn.
Important legal distinction: A stay of proceedings differs significantly from a withdrawal of charges. According to Canadian government resources, while withdrawn charges can never be revived, stayed charges can potentially be reinstated within one year of the stay being entered.
Murder Charge and Fugitive Status
Following Miller's death, Atem became a wanted fugitive before being arrested in Winnipeg in January 2025 and charged with first-degree murder. His arrest came several months after the Regina Police Service announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his capture during an October 2024 news conference.
At the time of the reward announcement, Atem held the No. 14 position on the BOLO program's list of Canada's 25 most wanted fugitives. The BOLO program, an acronym for "be on the lookout," manages this national list of high-priority fugitives.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Both Atem and co-accused Shedrek Samuel remain charged in connection with the 2023 incident. Police reports indicate Miller was shot and pronounced dead at the scene on the 2100 block of Broad Street in Regina.
A preliminary hearing regarding the first-degree murder charge against Atem is currently scheduled for June. This hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial on the murder charge.
The case continues to develop as both the drug-related matters and the more serious homicide charge move through the Canadian justice system.
