For years, Sam Rickman cherished his role as a bassist at Solid Rock Church, where he not only shared his musical talents but also built a strong friendship with Pastor John-Paul Miller and his wife, Mica. The families shared countless moments of fellowship, from complimentary haircuts to collaborative ministry projects. Rickman believed he had found a spiritual home.

But that sense of belonging unraveled following Mica’s tragic death last spring, leaving behind a shaken church community and a public feud that would pit Rickman against Miller in a bitter legal battle.

Rickman’s attorney, Regina Ward, revealed to News13 that her client authorized the release of documents outlining his counterclaim against Miller, who filed a $7,500 harassment suit against Rickman in Myrtle Beach Magistrate Court. According to Miller's complaint, Rickman and others involved in the “Justice for Mica” movement have engaged in “persistent harassment,” including public demonstrations that Miller claims interfere with his church and livelihood.

“The ‘rallies’ are nothing more than poorly organized mobs harassing and stalking [Miller],” the complaint alleges, adding that the demonstrations have damaged Miller’s standing within the religious community.

Rickman, however, paints a starkly different picture in his counterclaim, alleging that Miller exploited his position as pastor to breach the trust of his congregants. Rickman claims Miller used private information about him and his family in sermons, despite agreeing not to share certain sensitive details. One such sermon was recorded and posted online, causing significant emotional distress, Rickman said.

“And as we all know, he liked to record his sermons. And so that was published, and that caused a lot of emotional distress to my client,” Ward told News13.

The fallout deepened after Mica’s death. Rickman alleges that Miller handled the announcement of her passing with a shocking lack of sensitivity, likening it to “announcing a church picnic.” Miller later described public outcry over the tragedy as “the work of the devil” and assured congregants it would “all blow over in two weeks.”

Mica had filed for divorce just two days before her death, and Rickman contends this turmoil was openly discussed by Miller from the pulpit, further eroding trust.

As the “Justice for Mica” movement gained traction, Rickman attended his first rally in May, observing from his car rather than joining demonstrators. He would later participate in a June rally, becoming a visible part of the group seeking answers and accountability for Mica’s untimely death.

Compounding the tension was an incident involving Rickman’s child, a student at Solid Rock’s Faith First Academy. Rickman alleges Miller manipulated the school’s grading system to revoke his child’s honor roll recognition just before an awards ceremony. This act, Rickman claims, was intended to inflict emotional pain on his family.

The dispute has taken an even more dramatic turn with the FBI’s involvement. Agents conducted a search at Miller’s home in November, removing items such as computers and external drives. While the nature of the investigation remains unclear, the legal spotlight on Miller continues to grow.

“My client believes this frivolous lawsuit is an effort to further intimidate and silence him,” Ward said. “He’s going to hold Mr. Miller accountable. He opened the door to this, and he has every right to file a countersuit against him.”

Miller and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment. Officials attempted to serve papers at Miller’s residence but were unable to do so.

The case underscores the turmoil within the Solid Rock Church community, once bound by faith and friendship but now fractured by legal and personal disputes. As the legal proceedings unfold, questions surrounding Mica’s death and its impact on the church remain at the forefront of the community’s concerns.

#JusticeForMica #ChurchScandal #FaithAndBetrayal #FBIInvestigation #LegalBattle #CommunityDivision #ReligiousConflict
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