|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Embattled South Carolina pastor John-Paul Miller – founder of Myrtle Beach-based Solid Rock Ministries and the husband of the late Mica Miller – was arrested by officers of the Myrtle Beach police department on Wednesday afternoon following an altercation near his church.
Miller was charged with third degree assault and battery following a confrontation with a woman on Wednesday afternoon. The entire incident was captured on video as bystanders and protesters gathered outside the church on Howard Avenue.
Here is Miller’s mug shot…
***
***
Witnesses described Miller and the woman as “coming at each other.” As they argued between two cars in a parking lot, cell phone footage shows the beleaguered pastor appearing to take a photograph of the woman with his phone.
The woman then began screaming at Miller.
“You fucking touched me!” the woman yelled. “Don’t you fucking touch me, you psychopath!”
“You’re cracking JP,” a woman filming the exchange said. “FBI’s coming. We told you.”
One of the protesters then referred to Miller as a “pussy.”
Take a look…
***
@melissapfeiffer3 ? Face Down (Symphonic Edition) – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
***
What prompted the confrontation? Miller was reportedly driving by the church property when he saw groups of people gathered there – prompting him to return to the scene and approach them.
The incident – and Miller’s subsequent arrest – comes just days after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at his Myrtle Beach home on Friday, November 4, 2024.
“The primary investigation is into events that happened before Mica died,” a source familiar with the search stated, citing allegations of “interstate domestic violence” involving Miller.
Miller is also facing several looming civil lawsuits from alleged victims, we are told.
On Sunday, church members were reportedly informed there would be no more services held at Solid Rock. Then, on Tuesday, the church reportedly announced it was closing Faith First Academy – an elementary school run by the church. Faith First’s enrollment had reportedly dwindled amidst the growing controversy surrounding Miller and his behavior toward his late, estranged wife.
Sources close to the situation confirmed both facilities were “shut down.”
***
On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Mica was found with a gunshot wound to the head a stone’s throw from the Lumber River – a scenic blackwater river that flows into the Yadkin-Pee Dee watershed. Mica traveled to this remote location from Myrtle Beach earlier that day, and her body was discovered by police in a swampy area approximately forty meters away from where spent shell casings and her belongings were recovered.
Her death was officially ruled a suicide by investigators and medical examiners. On April 28, 2024 – less than twelve hours after being notified of her death – Miller delivered a sermon at Solid Rock which closed with a bizarre announcement of her passing (and instructions to his congregants not to discuss it as they left the church).
Mica died less than 48 hours after serving her husband with divorce papers, and subsequent court filings detailed allegations of abuse and harassment against Miller from multiple individuals – including his first wife.
Onlookers gathered outside the church this week as its personnel began moving out of the building that once was the home of a ministry founded by John-Paul’s father, Reginald Wayne Miller. The younger Miller is reportedly trying to sell the property for up to $3 million.
Every Sunday since Mica’s death, protesters have gathered at the church with cries of “Justice for Mica” – bringing attention to her suspicious passing and calling for an investigation into the circumstances that may have caused the 30-year-old worship leader and aspiring missionary to take her own life.
***
RELATED | FBI SEARCHES JOHN-PAUL MILLER’S HOME
***
In the moments immediately following yesterday’s confrontation with the protester, Miller left the scene without being questioned. Protesters could be heard in live videos demanding an explanation from responding officers – who assured them they would be following Miller and pulling him over.
Miller is no stranger to run-ins with protesters. Weeks ago, he allegedly shoved protester James Bingham, Jr. – who frequently showed up at Solid Rock dressed as Jesus.
Miller appeared in front of an Horry County magistrate on Thursday morning. He was granted a personal recognizance bond in the amount of $776.
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Callie Lyons is a journalist, researcher and author. Her 2007 book ‘Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof and Lethal’ was the first to cover forever chemicals and their impact on communities – a story later told in the movie ‘Dark Waters.’ Her investigative work has been featured in media outlets, publications, and documentaries all over the world. Lyons also appears in ‘Citizen Sleuth’ – a 2023 documentary exploring the genre of true crime.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to address proactively? We have an open microphone policy! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
