Pastor John-Paul Miller arrested by Myrtle Beach Police

Embattled pastor from South Carolina John Paul Miller – Founder of Myrtle Beach Solid Rock Ministries and the husband of the deceased Mica Miller — was arrested by Myrtle Beach Police officers Wednesday afternoon after an altercation near his church.

Miller was charged with third-degree assault after a confrontation with a woman Wednesday afternoon. The entire incident was captured on video as passersby and protesters gathered outside the church on Howard Avenue.

Here's Miller's mug shot…

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Witnesses described Miller and the woman “attacking each other.” As they argued between two cars in a parking lot, cell phone footage shows the beleaguered priest apparently taking a photo of the woman with his cell phone.

The woman then began yelling at Miller.

“You fucking touched me!” the woman screamed. “Don’t fucking touch me, you psychopath!”

“You’re awesome, JP,” said a woman filming the exchange. “The FBI is coming. We told you.”

One of the protesters then called Miller a “pussy.”

Take a look…

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@thematrix_neo #FYP #Don'tTouchMe #John-PaulMiller #Protesters #SolidRockMinistriesMarketCommons #Church #ParkingLot #MyrtleBeach #Francis #MicaFrancisJustice #TrueCrimeCommunity #News #Update #LocalNews ? Original sound – TheMatrix_Neo

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What triggered the confrontation? Miller was reportedly driving past the church grounds 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 – occurred 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 looking at events that occurred prior to Mica's death,” a source familiar with the search explained, citing allegations of “interstate domestic violence” involving Miller.

Miller also faces several threatened civil lawsuits from alleged victims, they say.

Church members were reportedly informed on Sunday that services would no longer be 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 sign-ups reportedly declined due to the growing controversy surrounding Miller and his behavior toward his late, estranged wife.

Sources familiar with the situation confirmed that both facilities have been “closed.”

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On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Mica was found with a gunshot wound to the head just a stone's throw from the Lumber River – a scenic blackwater river that flows into the Yadkin-Pee Dee watershed. Mica traveled from Myrtle Beach to this remote location earlier that day, and her body was discovered by police in a swampy area about forty yards from where spent bullet casings and her belongings were recovered.

Her death was officially ruled a suicide by investigators and coroners. On April 28, 2024 – less than twelve hours after notification of her death – Miller gave a sermon at Solid Rock that ended with a bizarre announcement of her death (and instructions to his parishioners). 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 by multiple people, including his first wife.

Onlookers gathered outside the church this week as staff began to leave the building that once housed 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 dollars.

Since Mica's death, protesters have gathered outside the church every Sunday chanting “Justice for Mica” to draw attention to her suspicious death and demand an investigation into the circumstances that may have taken the 30-year-old worship leader and aspiring missionary's life gain weight.

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RELATED | The FBI searches John-Paul Miller's home

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Immediately after yesterday's confrontation with the protester, Miller left the scene without being questioned. In live videos, protesters could be heard demanding an explanation from responding officers — who assured them they would follow Miller and stop him.

Miller is no stranger to clashes with protesters. Weeks ago he is said to have pushed a demonstrator James Bingham, Jr. – who often appeared at Solid Rock dressed as Jesus.

Miller appeared before a Horry County judge Thursday morning. He was granted a personal recognizance bond in the amount of $776.

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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 take an in-depth look at chemicals and their impact on communities – a story later told in the film “Dark Waters.” Her investigative work has been featured in media, publications and documentaries around the world. Lyons also appears in “Citizen Sleuth” – a 2023 documentary film exploring the true crime genre.

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