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John Paul Miller Fights Back: Lawsuits Aim to Address Defamation Amid Ongoing Investigations

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — John Paul Miller, the husband of the late Mica Miller, is pushing back against a wave of accusations and online speculation by filing a series of lawsuits, and restraining orders against individuals he alleges have slandered, defamed, and libeled him in the wake of his wife’s tragic death.

Mica Miller, a beloved worship leader and singer, died by suicide on April 27, 2024, at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. Despite an FBI raid on Miller’s home in connection with a sealed warrant, no criminal charges have been filed against him by any law enforcement agency. Miller maintains his innocence and has repeatedly stated his intent to clear his name.

Legal Action Against Alleged Defamation

Miller has filed lawsuits against multiple individuals from Myrtle Beach, accusing them of defamation, slander, and libel. The defendants named in his lawsuits include:

Melissa Mancari
Melissa Pfeiffer
Jan G. Lancaster
Kenn Young
Courtney Anne
Samuel Adam Rickman
Sandra Kay Caron
Tracy Ann Hermes
Alexandra Golden Cuozzo
Kyler Marlowe
Annie Plaggenborg

These lawsuits allege that the named individuals engaged in spreading false and damaging statements about Miller, particularly regarding his role in his wife’s death. “My reputation has been tarnished by baseless accusations,” Miller said in a recent statement. “These lawsuits are not about revenge; they are about setting the record straight.”

John Paul Miller - Sandra Caron — Sandra Caron Photo: Fox 8

Russell Long, Miller’s attorney, echoed his client’s concerns, stating, “Somebody’s got to help John Paul Miller and the members of his church. Stop these people from harassing and stalking him the way they do.”

Buster Murdaugh Lawsuits

In addition to these defamation cases, Miller’s legal challenges intersect with another high-profile South Carolina name—Buster Murdaugh. Buster Murdaugh, the surviving son of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh, is suing Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and others for defamation, asserting that they falsely implied he was involved in Stephen Smith’s 2015 death. Smith’s body was found on a rural road in Hampton County, South Carolina, under circumstances initially ruled as a hit-and-run.

However, in 2021, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reopened the investigation into Smith’s death, coinciding with their probe into the murders of Buster’s mother, Maggie, and brother, Paul — crimes for which his father, Alex Murdaugh, has been convicted. Some have alleged that the deaths of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were to silence Paul on information he knew about the Stephen Smith case, and that Maggie was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

While details of the Miller lawsuits remain under wraps, they underscore John Paul Miller’s willingness to confront allegations and disputes head-on.

FBI Investigation and No Charges Filed in Sealed Warrant

In June 2024, the FBI raided Miller’s Myrtle Beach home, removing electronic devices, documents, and other items. The search warrant was sealed, and the FBI has not disclosed the focus of their investigation. Despite the scrutiny, no charges have been filed against Miller related to Mica’s death or any other allegations.

Mica Miller’s death was ruled a suicide, and John Paul Miller has publicly expressed his grief over her passing. Family attorney Regina Ward has stated that Mica’s journals and other documents were submitted to federal authorities, but no evidence has surfaced implicating Miller in any wrongdoing.

Ward also commented on the assault charge and the FBI’s involvement, saying, “But at the end of the day, it’s sure going to help this case going forward, and, um, he might as well get used to it. We’re not going away, we’re not going away… until he goes away,” she said with a smile. The implications of her statement remain unclear about Miller “Going away,” but apparently suggest continued pressure on Miller as investigations proceed.

Our question for Ward would be, where do you hope John Paul Miller goes away to? If it’s to prison, does she have any credible evidence proving wrongdoing by Miller? Or is this just another witch hunt?

Public Perception and the Fight for Reputation

John Paul Miller’s lawsuits come amid intense public speculation fueled by social media and online commentary. By filing these defamation cases, Miller is taking an assertive stance to combat what he sees as a campaign of misinformation.

Legal experts suggest that these lawsuits could serve as a double-edged sword. On one hand, they offer John Paul Miller an opportunity to challenge false narratives and rebuild his reputation. On the other, they may invite further scrutiny into his personal life and the events surrounding Mica’s death, especially when it comes to discovery.

This lawsuit by John Paul Miller follows a broader trend of individuals successfully taking legal action against online trolls, particularly in cases involving private citizens:

Mathias Aven v. Online Trolls (2021) – Aven, a real estate agent, was awarded $300,000 after being defamed online, damaging his business.
Carla Franklin v. Anonymous YouTube Trolls (2020) – Franklin, a former Columbia University student, successfully unmasked and sued her harassers, setting a precedent for revealing anonymous online trolls.
John Doe v. “Rapey Unicycle” (2020) – An anonymous individual won over $1 million in damages after a sustained campaign of online harassment.
Jane Doe v. Regional High School District (2022) – A high school student received $200,000 in damages after suing for cyberbullying.
The Shaw Family v. Online Harassers (2021) – A family won $150,000 after enduring a targeted harassment campaign from neighbors and community members.
Sundeep V. v. Anonymous Reddit User (2021) – Sundeep, an IT professional, was awarded $250,000 in damages after false accusations impacted his career.
Jane Doe v. TikTok Harassers (2021) – A private individual received $100,000 in damages following a sustained defamation campaign on TikTok.

A former Greenberg Traurig partner has settled a defamation lawsuit against social media influencer Robert Harvey, who was accused of posting videos allegedly portraying the lawyer as an abusive husband. The settlement terms were not disclosed, but a joint motion filed on July 5, 2024, requested that U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II of the Northern District of Florida retain jurisdiction to enforce the agreement and address any potential disputes. The resolution marks the end of a contentious legal battle that drew attention to the intersection of social media influence and reputational harm.

These cases underscore the growing willingness of courts to hold online trolls accountable for defamation and harassment, even when the victims are private individuals. Eric Bland, a partner at Bland Richter and a podcaster with Luna Shark, noted that online defamation has become an increasingly prevalent issue, especially as social media allows for widespread reputational harm. Luna Shark has close connections to several alleged online trolls on Twitter who have been accused of similar behavior.

Conclusion

John Paul Miller’s legal actions mark a pivotal moment in his fight to protect his name and legacy. As the lawsuits unfold and investigations continue, Miller remains under the public microscope. For now, one fact remains clear: despite the FBI’s raid and widespread speculation, no charges have been brought against him by any law enforcement agency regarding Mica’s death.

Stay tuned to CC News Network for updates on this developing story.

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