Update: Former Myrtle Beach pastor John-Paul Miller arrested. Details of arrest released
The former pastor of a Myrtle Beach church has been arrested after an apparent disturbance in the Market Common area.
Miller, 45, was charged by Myrtle Beach Police with third-degree assault and battery on Nov. 6, according to police records.
Miller appeared before a judge Thursday morning where he was given a $776 bond and released.
An incident report has not been released.
However, Myrtle Beach Police posted on its Facebook page that officers responded to a disturbance at 2:38 p.m. in the 700 block of Hemlock Avenue.
Details about the disturbance were described during Thursday’s court hearing.
Apparently the assault occurred when Miller was confronted by a “Justice for Mica” protester outside his Solid Rock church Wednesday.
The protesters were across the street from the church, where members and Miller were cleaning up, according to the court hearing. According to proceedings, Miller was approached by one of the protesters who began to follow him as he walked away. Then Miller allegedly tapped his phone on the protester’s hat.
Protesters were also at the hearing, including the woman, Sandra Caron, who was allegedly assaulted. Caron testified during the hearing.
In court, Russell Long, Miller’s attorney, said “the initial aggressors are these two ladies,” motioning toward the protesters.
Caron said, “He doesn’t have a right to touch me,” regarding Miller.
Long said the protesters have been stalking and harassing Miller for months and blames the city of Myrtle Beach for allowing them to be there.
Miller has been involved in controversy regarding the death of his wife, Mica Miller, who committed suicide in April in a North Carolina state park. Since her death, Miller has been accused of abusing his wife and contributing to her death. Miller has denied abusing his wife and allegations that he had any role in her death.
Her death has gained national attention.
A group of protesters have gathered outside Solid Rock Church, 803 Howard Ave., every Sunday since May, demanding “justice for Mica” and for John-Paul Miller to be arrested.
They have been at the site more recently after the church has closed and the FBI recently searched Miller’s home in the Myrtle Beach area.
The FBI has not released information on why officers were searching the residential home. The Sun News requested the search warrant and incident report but have not received the documents.
Miller applied for a business license to start Living Water Church, a new church at Market Common Inc. on Oct. 17. The business license for Solid Rock Ministries is still active as of Nov. 6, although the website is no longer active.
Another church member was also arrested this summer after an encounter with a protester in July. The church member sprayed a protester with a sprinkler.
