South Carolina pastor John-Paul Miller, under mounting scrutiny following his wife's tragic death, now faces an assault charge after an altercation with a "Justice for Mica" protester outside his church Wednesday afternoon, authorities report.
Myrtle Beach police arrested Miller, the embattled pastor of Solid Rock Church, late Wednesday on an assault charge, according to WBTW.
Following a roughly 20-minute hearing Thursday morning, Miller was charged with "assault / assault and battery 3rd degree" and released on a $776 bond. He is due back in court at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 10.
When contacted Thursday morning, Miller declined to comment and told a News13 reporter, "please never contact me again in any way shape or form. Nor anyone from your office."
Police increased their presence along Hemlock Avenue after the incident, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. News13 captured footage of the confrontation in the parking lot of Horry-Georgetown Technical College's Market Common campus on Hemlock Avenue.
Video of part of the altercation shows Miller, according to WBTW, standing in front of a woman, saying, "What did you say? You walked right up to me." The video then captures Miller making a movement that angers the woman, who claims he put his hands on her.
The altercation occurred just one day after all contents were removed from Miller's Solid Rock Church on 803 Howard Avenue. The church's sign, once prominently displaying "Solid Rock" in white letters, had also been stripped. Miller's vehicle was briefly observed on the property during the removal.
A church advisor, Charles Randall, declined to comment on the incident, and Miller has consistently refused to speak with News13 reporters. In an email on Wednesday, Miller instructed, "Please, ask everyone at tv 13 to NEVER again reach out to me or solid rock or we will consider it harassment."
Solid Rock's website has been taken down, and its phone line is no longer in service.
The controversy surrounding Miller and Solid Rock Ministries has been intensifying since April, when his wife, Mica, was found dead in Lumber River State Park in Robeson County. Although her death was later ruled a suicide, it attracted nationwide attention amid allegations that Miller had abused her before she died.
Just days prior to the church incident, federal agents conducted a lengthy search of Miller's Coldwater Circle residence in Myrtle Beach, seizing multiple boxes of evidence, including some computer equipment. The FBI declined to comment on any possible indictments.
Both Miller's residence and Solid Rock Church are part of a $5.59 million real estate portfolio managed by Solid Rock Ministries.
Meanwhile, Miller appears to be laying the groundwork for a new church. On Oct. 17, articles of incorporation were filed for "Living Water Church at Market Common Inc.," listing Miller as the registered agent with his home address. Miller has also applied for federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for Living Water, specifying that, if dissolved, any remaining assets would go to St. Delight Pentecostal Church, a small congregation in Little River where Randall serves as pastor.
