A former student has taken legal action, accusing a Myrtle Beach pastor of sexual assault and psychological torment during her school years.

Jane Doe #2 alleges that from 1998 to 2001, while a student at Cathedral Hall Academy, she was sexually assaulted by Pastor John-Paul Miller, the Christian Post reported.

Jane Doe #2, a student at the private Christian school Cathedral Hall Academy, encountered Pastor John-Paul Miller in the late 1990s when she was only 14. The alleged abuses spanned over three years, beginning in 1998.

The situation escalated in 1999 when, according to the lawsuit, the first incident of assault occurred. Miller was a teacher at the school at the time and took advantage of his position to commit the alleged abuse.

After the assault, Jane Doe #2 sought assistance from another teacher but was directed to Reginald Wayne Miller, John-Paul Miller’s father and a senior figure at the school. Instead of assistance, she faced intimidation.

Psychological Abuse and Threats Escalate

In Reginald’s office, he coerced her into writing lines that denied her allegations, aiming to suppress her claims. This act initiated a prolonged cycle of harassment and intimidation.

At school, other students continuously harassed and assaulted Jane Doe #2, sometimes under John-Paul Miller's watchful eye. Witnesses reported that he often smirked and encouraged the harassment.

In one particularly harrowing incident, students forcibly sprayed bug spray into her mouth and eyes while John-Paul Miller looked on, seemingly approving their actions.

Allegations of Demonic Threats Linked to Harry Potter

The ordeal didn’t stop with physical assaults; psychological abuse was also rife. Jane Doe #2 faced bizarre and frightening threats for her interest in seemingly harmless books like Harry Potter.

Her lawsuit details an incident where having a Harry Potter book at school led to severe repercussions. Reginald and John-Paul Miller accused her of serving Satan and threatened her with being "raped by demons" if she continued exploring such narratives.

This form of psychological torment was part of what the lawsuit describes as outrageous and intentional infliction of emotional distress, culminating in severe emotional trauma for Jane Doe #2.

Comprehensive Legal Action Filed in Horry County

The lawsuit, filed in Horry County by attorneys S. Randall Hood and Mark B. Tinsley, names not only John-Paul Miller but also multiple associated entities as defendants, including his father, Reginald Wayne Miller, All Nations Cathedral Church, Solid Rock Ministries, Inc., and Cathedral Hall Academy itself.

These proceedings aim to address a spectrum of allegations, ranging from negligence and gross negligence to assault and battery, and even a violation of the South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The legal team has not specified the amount in damages being sought but emphasizes the severe impact of the defendants’ actions on Jane Doe #2's life.

Background and Broader Implications

The case gains additional complexity with the recent suicide of John-Paul Miller’s second wife, Mica Miller, in April 2024. Although John-Paul Miller has denied any involvement and was not charged after an FBI investigation into his home in November of last year, this event has stirred further public interest and scrutiny in the pastor’s behavior.

This lawsuit not only addresses the immediate grievances of Jane Doe #2 but also raises serious questions about the conduct and oversight within religious educational institutions.

As the case unfolds, it may prompt wider discussions on the protections and policies necessary in schools to safeguard students under their care, especially in environments where authority figures have considerable control over students’ lives and well-being.