John-Paul Miller fights back against Myrtle Beach area protesters. Claims police won’t help
For months, chants and shouts could be heard along Pampas Drive as Justice for Mica protesters gathered every Sunday outside Solid Rock Church in Market Common.
People in purple shirts would stand around chatting until someone walked up to the church entrance. That’s when protesters would yell at those entering or exiting the church, including such chants as “You can’t hide from the FBI” and “Justice for Mica.”
The protests were targeting John-Paul Miller, the once pastor of the Myrtle Beach church, who became embroiled in national controversy and innuendo regarding the relationship with his late wife, Mica Miller.
The #JusticeforMica movement began in spring after Mica Miller committed suicide in a North Carolina state park. Following her death, Mica’s family alleged that John-Paul, who was estranged from his wife at the time of her death, had abused her, leading to her suicide.
John-Paul has repeatedly denied abusing Mica or having anything to do with her death, instead saying she was severely mentally ill.
These allegations against John-Paul struck a chord with people who took the case online. Mica’s name flew around true crime circles with Facebook groups, as well TikTok and YouTube creators, spreading theories about her death.
John-Paul Miller has said that the protesters are harassing and stalking him, and has been vocal about their harassment of church members of the now closed church.
Solid Rock Church officially closed in November, with Miller’s attorney Russell Long saying that the protesters, “killed the church.”
John-Paul has filed restraining orders against multiple Justice for Mica protesters, with a judge granting at least two, his lawyer Russell Long said over text.
Long said John-Paul has been forced to “hide” from the general public due to a lack of help from the Myrtle Beach Police Department. John-Paul has declined media requests since September, directing questions to Long.
“(Filing restraining orders is) all we can do,” Long said at a press conference on Nov. 7. “They are hell-bent on harassing and stalking John-Paul.”
When asked how the Myrtle Beach Police responds to Long’s comments, Myrtle Beach Police spokesperson Randolph Angotti said he encourages people to submit complaints to the Office of Professional Standards, which investigate complaints against police, in an email to The Sun News.
Myrtle Beach Police was aware of the protesters, but said the protesters did not request assistance, Angotti said. When asked if John-Paul requested assistance, Angotti sent a link to Myrtle Beach Police event search, which allows the public to search by date for any incidents or crimes police may have responded to in the city.
During church service on previous Sundays, there would usually be at least one police officer stationed near the church and a short distance from protesters.
“As with any protest, we have asked that protesters remain peaceful and that everyone respect everyone else’s rights to demonstrate,” Angotti said when asked how the police department has responded to the protesters. “Our primary concern is always the safety and security of our community members, so we put plans in place to provide a safe environment for the protesters as well as those other members of the community who were not involved.”
Several nearby neighbors told The Sun News on Nov. 13 that the noise from protesters on Sunday mornings bothered them but was not a big deal. One woman applauded the group for their commitment to show up every week for more than six months.
Who did John-Paul get restraining orders against?
High tension between protesters and church members led to a church member being arrested for third-degree assault after spraying the group with a sprinkler in July. John-Paul was also arrested for third-degree assault after he tapped his phone on a protester’s hat on Nov. 6.
John-Paul has filed restraining orders against multiple protesters, with two being granted, Long said. Those granted are against Jan “Guru” Lancaster, who posts on social media, and James “Jay” Bingham Jr., who was a regular protester and usually appeared dressed as Jesus. There are other restraining orders filed, but Long declined to say how many.
The Sun News requested copies of the restraining orders from Horry County, but the information request has been not filled.
The restraining order against Lancaster is due to a quid pro quo, Lancaster said. It stems from a video by Lancaster, who frequently went live to show Justice for Mica protests, indicated that if John-Paul makes a video with him, he would leave him alone.
The order was approved on Oct. 7 and Lancaster said he’s appealed it.
Bingham said he has done nothing wrong and was “exercising his right to protest.” He said he plans to appeal the restraining order.
And although the church has been closed, Justice for Mica supporters have continued their efforts, including holding a recent benefit concert for Mica in Market Common.
When asked what justice would look like, one of the protest organizers, Alexandra Cuozzo, previously said she wants to see Miller in jail for his actions.
The FBI searched Miller’s home earlier this month but it is unclear what agents were looking for and whether it had anything to do with his wife’s death.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can can call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988.
This story was originally published November 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
