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A fresh lawsuit has emerged against a South Carolina pastor whose wife, Mica Miller, died by suicide earlier this year. The legal action also names his father and makes serious allegations of sexual abuse and predatory behavior, claiming that the church served as a venue for decades of exploitation.
The lawsuit, which was acquired by Fox News Digital, claims that 45-year-old John-Paul Miller assaulted a 15-year-old girl during Sunday school at his father’s church in 1998. The complaint highlights a stark contrast between the public image of Miller and his father as revered religious figures and the disturbing reality behind closed doors.
The legal document states that John-Paul Miller, at only 19 years old at the time of the alleged incident, lured the young girl into his father’s office at All Nations Church. It further asserts that he forced her outside and sexually assaulted her inside his vehicle.
In an effort to protect her identity and honor her dignity, the woman, currently residing in Indiana, is referred to as “Jane Doe” throughout the court filings.
The lawsuit reveals that when John-Paul committed the alleged assault, he was already known within the church as a troubled individual with a history of reckless behavior, including prior legal issues, and his being a father at a young age. The complaint points to a long-standing pattern of misconduct.
Alarming Revelations of Deception
The document claims that John-Paul and his father, Reginald Wayne Miller, hid behind a façade of righteousness while engaging in abusive behavior. According to the lawsuit, their positions of authority allowed them to manipulate and prey on vulnerable individuals, especially minors, without fear of retribution.
The lawsuit states, “Behind their religious façade, John-Paul Miller and Reginald Wayne Miller engaged in sexual abuse and predatory conduct—often targeting minors. They utilized their status as church leaders to exploit the most vulnerable members of their community while successfully concealing their actions.”
The allegations do not end there. Years after the initial incident, Jane Doe encountered John-Paul again in Myrtle Beach during a visit in 2023. The lawsuit describes how John-Paul allegedly initiated contact by hugging her and subsequently forced his hand down her pants, violating her consent once more. This encounter led to a heated exchange, during which he referenced biblical scripture in a misguided attempt to justify his actions.
“This church was JPM’s sexual playground,” Jane Doe asserts in the lawsuit, painting a grim picture of the environment purportedly fostered by church leadership.
Negligence by Church Leadership
The complaint draws attention to the negligence displayed by church leadership, including Reginald Wayne Miller, in protecting members of the congregation from abuse. The lawsuit clearly states that adequate measures were never implemented to safeguard minors in the church.
Furthermore, the legal filing raises concerns regarding financial dealings within church ministries. John-Paul Miller, already under scrutiny since the passing of his wife in April, faces additional questions relating to the church’s complicity in his alleged misconduct. Mica Miller was discovered deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27.
The circumstances surrounding Mica’s death have revealed cracks in their marital relationship, with reports indicating that they were separated and that she had filed for divorce just days before her passing.
Investigators from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office have established that John-Paul was not present in the county during Mica’s tragic death, raising further concerns about his actions around that time.
On a separate note, John-Paul Miller was arrested in November following a confrontation with demonstrators outside his church, Solid Rock at Common Market, facing charges of assault and battery. Furthermore, the FBI conducted a search of his Myrtle Beach home in the same month, ostensibly related to the ongoing investigations surrounding the case.
Both the attorney for John-Paul and representatives for his father and their churches have yet to provide any comments regarding the escalating situation, leaving many questions unanswered.
Implications and Community Reaction
The lawsuit not only underscores issues of individual misconduct but raises broader concerns about accountability within religious organizations. The case has sparked discussions in the Myrtle Beach community and beyond about the responsibility of church authorities to protect their congregants and properly address allegations of abuse.
The allegations serve as a critical reminder that positions of power can often be misused and that vigilance is necessary to ensure the safety of the vulnerable within any community. Survivors of such trauma deserve justice, and the unfolding legal battle may provide some measure of accountability for the alleged wrongdoings.
The outcome of this case will not only impact those directly involved but may also influence how similar cases within faith-based organizations are addressed in the future.
As this story develops, community members and advocates alike are watching closely, hoping for a resolution that not only seeks justice for the victims but also fosters a safer environment within places of worship.
Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.
