‘Justice For Mica’: Counterclaims And Courtroom Drama

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Samuel Rickman was a faithful member of Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Many knew him as the church’s videographer – and as the techie who built a missions website for the pastor’s wife, the late Mica Francis Miller. Rickman was also known as a talented bass player who appeared in numerous videos alongside Mica and her husband, Solid Rock founder and pastor John-Paul Miller.

Rickman has been a quiet participant in the ‘Justice for Mica’ movement – a campaign aimed at uncovering the truth behind the aspiring worship leader’s suspicious suicide last spring. He is (or was) perhaps best known as the man responsible for the purple ‘Mica ducks‘ that have been spotted all over the world. As details begin to emerge from a barrage of lawsuits filed by John-Paul Miller against those criticizing him in connection with his wife’s death, Rickman’s contributions to this growing movement have taken center stage.

In fact, it was Rickman’s recent counterclaim to a lawsuit filed against him by Miller that helped launch the counteroffensive to the pastor’s “pulpit justice” campaign.

Since January 10, 2025, Miller and his followers have filed dozens of civil lawsuits in magistrate court seeking restraining orders and thousands of dollars in damages from individuals Miller insists have wronged or defamed him. According to the beleaguered pastor, he has been the target of extreme stalking and harassment since Mica’s death more than nine months ago.

How did we get here? What’s the latest in the legal drama? And what potentially pivotal role could Rickman play in the unfolding narrative?

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BACKGROUND…

Exclusively reported by FITSNews, Mica’s tragic death has captured the attention of a global audience. To recap: The aspiring missionary and worship leader was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head at 4:23 p.m. EST on April 27, 2024 at North Carolina’s Lumber River State Park – a sprawling 14,000-acre wilderness located roughly an hour’s drive northwest of Myrtle Beach. Her body was found at this secluded location a short time after she called 911 asking the operator to pinpoint her phone – stating she was “going to kill herself” and wanted her family to be able to find her body.

Mica had traveled to this park from Myrtle Beach earlier that day, and her body was ultimately found in a swampy area approximately 40 meters from where police recovered spent shell casings and her belongings. She died less than 48 hours after serving divorce papers to John-Paul Miller.

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On April 28, 2024 – less than twelve hours after being notified of Mica’s death – John-Paul Miller delivered a sermon at Solid Rock. His message closed with a bizarre announcement of her passing, at which point Miller told congregants to leave the church quietly and not to discuss Mica’s death as they departed.

Mica’s death was officially ruled a suicide by North Carolina investigators and medical examiners, but the bizarre manner in which her husband revealed it – and subsequent allegations of harassment and abuse leveled against him in multiple court filings and previous 911 calls – have raised doubts.

In addition to the ‘Justice for Mica’ movement – which aims to amend South Carolina’s domestic violence laws – the saga has sparked an ongoing probe into related allegations against John-Paul Miller led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

COURT DRAMA…

John-Paul Miller came away empty-handed during his latest court appearance in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday (February 5, 2025). A day after withdrawing one of his motions for a restraining order under threat of court sanctions, a judge denied Miller’s bid for a restraining order against protester Melissa Post.

Post was represented by attorney Regina Ward, who previously represented Mica Miller in her attempt to obtain a divorce from the embattled pastor.

Questioned under oath by Ward, Miller made some curious claims. Asked about his income, he said he made $100,000 a month prior to his wife’s death – an amount which has since dropped to $10,000 a month. When asked how he made this money, Miller insisted it was from “book sales.”

Miller also claimed a former federal agent assisted him by running the license plates of protesters. He also acknowledged something this media outlet has long suspected – that disbarred attorney Mark Brunty “helped” him prepare the dozens of civil cases he has filed over the past month against his critics.

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Prior to losing his hearing against Post, Miller was forced to withdraw his bid for a restraining order against another individual – Tonya Hall of Myrtle Beach, S.C. – after a motion for sanctions was filed by her attorney, Chris Helms. The motion claimed Miller’s suit was “plainly frivolous” and that the multitude of similar lawsuits he filed were “intended to intimidate and retaliate against the public at large.”

The filing further claimed the civil suit brought by Miller was “designed to harass or injure the respondent.”

After weeks of creating new corporate entities – and sneaking from one obscure location to another for worship services – Miller is currently holding church services for the remaining congregants of Solid Rock at the church’s original location on Howard Avenue.

His wandering worship services – which took place for two weeks at a venue called The Rat Hole and a third Sunday at The X Gym – have not deterred protesters from tracking Miller down and resuming their demonstrations. The dates and locations of these gatherings have now become evidence in many of the lawsuits filed in recent weeks – evidence Miller offers as proof (.pdf) that he is being wronged by those relentlessly calling for ‘Justice for Mica.’

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SAM’S STORY…

It has been nine long months since the ‘Justice for Mica’ protests began. For Rickman and his family, this has been a time of transition – of breaking away from the church they once loved and attempting to move on.

According to his counterclaim – filed last week – Rickman’s dissatisfaction with Solid Rock began before Mica’s death. The source of his discontent? John-Paul’s sermons — rant-filled lectures laced with insults and demeaning commentary about the pastor’s wife. Considering Mica a friend, he said he could no longer stomach it.

It became Rickman’s habit to step out of the sanctuary when the band left the stage so as to avoid the unpleasant experience. According to his filing, that was how he missed Miller’s bizarre announcement of Mica’s passing on April 28, 2024.

Even so, he knew something was very wrong just by the expressions of church members who – per Miller’s instructions – left the sanctuary in silence (but visibly shaken).

Distress and disbelief overtook Rickman, often making him feel physically ill.

In the days following Mica’s death, Rickman found himself in the unenviable position of trying to carry on amid the chaos of controversy – and grief. He kept his head down and absorbed it all. He remained silent and did not place blame. Instead, he tried to make sense of what had happened – and to understand his role in it all.

Committed to honoring her memory, he described it this way :

“Mica’s journey here on earth came to an end too soon, but her impact is far from over. As we continue to share her story, let’s focus on spreading positivity and lifting each other up. Let’s come together in unity and support, showing the love and compassion that Mica would have wanted for all of us. Her memory is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love can always shine through. Together, we can ensure that her legacy is one of light, joy, and kindness. Mica is a beautiful soul/person, and she deserves to be remembered with kindness, love, and respect. Let’s remember that each of us has the power to honor her in meaningful ways whether it’s through an act of kindness, sharing a memory that brought joy, or simply taking a moment to reflect on the love she brought into the world. Her light is still here, and we can keep it alive by living with the same compassion and warmth that she embodied.”

Other members of Solid Rock were facing difficult decisions in the aftermath of Mica’s death. Another congregant, the church videographer, was asked to film Mica’s celebration of life service. Duty-bound, he did.

“After filming and editing, I felt nauseated and sick to my stomach,” he explained on social media. “When I uploaded the files to my computer, I received a text from JP instructing me not to upload the video until further notice. Feeling conflicted, I believed that people needed to see the footage. After days of waiting for JP’s approval, I decided to release the video without consent, as I didn’t want to withhold the information any longer. I wanted to pass the footage to those who needed it, so I uploaded it.”

Observing the tumultuous situation around him, the videographer said his purpose soon became clear. “When I see Christians accusing others of being ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing,’ it makes me realize that sometimes the real wolf in sheep’s clothing is the pastor, and people are acting as if nothing is wrong,” he said. “I stand by seeking justice and taking a stand for what is right. We can forgive later, depending on where our hearts are after the circumstances, but for now, don’t accuse me of being a wolf. I am standing here as a soldier for God, seeking justice for Mica Miller.”

The quiet stands these individuals made were not without sacrifice.

The counterclaim filed last week by attorney Regina Ward on Rickman’s behalf outlines the uncomfortable repercussions of his stance and requests a legal remedy – a permanent restraining order that would prevent his former pastor, John-Paul Miller, from disparaging Rickman and his family.

The details contained in the counterclaim provided the outside world with a rare glimpse into the level of control Miller appears to have exerted over his flock at Solid Rock Church. According to the filing, Miller violated Rickman’s privacy by using details of his personal testimony in a sermon that was published online. In an attempt at discrediting Rickman, the pastor told congregants Rickman was “evil” and that he used illegal drugs while performing with the church band. He also allegedly threatened to make Rickman repay the funds he earned for website construction – an amount Miller knew would throw the family into financial distress. Rickman’s young child attended the Faith First Academy at Solid Rock – and was expected to be on the honor roll – however according to the compliant the pastor’s last-minute interference with the grading structure resulted in the child being removed from the honor roll.

Perhaps the most damning allegation contained in the filing has to do with a change to the Dare2Care Missions website that was ordered by John-Paul Miller three days before Mica’s passing. Rickman was told to place the words “Dedicated to Mica Miller” as large as possible on the site which figured prominently in Mica’s obituary as the designated place to send gifts in her honor. Did the pastor have a premonition? Did he have a sudden revelation obtained thru the gift of prophecy? Or was he planning for the inevitable future?

Ultimately, Rickman claims the civil suit against him is an attempt to shut him up and cause him to be disinclined to talk to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as the inquiry into allegations of interstate domestic violence continues.

In his counterclaim, Rickman is asking the court for damages in the amount of $7,500, the removal and destruction of the sermon discussing him, and a permanent restraining order to keep Miller from causing “any further harm” to him or his family.

As the Mica Francis Miller story advances on multiple fronts, count on FITSNews to keep our audience up to speed on the very latest developments.

Updated February 8, 2025: A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed certain passages to Rickman. These passages were, in fact, from a different church member. We regret the error and have updated the story to reflect the correct attribution.

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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.

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