FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — John-Paul Miller, Myrtle Beach pastor, pleaded not guilty to the federal charges against him in court on Monday.
His bond has been set at $100,000 and he's now required to stay away from the victims, family and any witnesses involved in the investigation. He will have to wear an ankle monitor, cannot possess a firearm, cannot excessively drink alcohol and must surrender his passport as a condition of his bond.
More than 70 people filled the federal courthouse on West Evans Street in Florence, and some had to wait outside.
Prosecutors said they felt like JP was a flight risk and a danger to the community. However, JP’s attorneys adamantly disagreed.
He's in court following a December indictment by the U.S. Department of Justice.
"FBI, as well as our local partners that helped us solve this case, were incredibly thorough, detail-oriented; they left no stone unturned. And when they were ready and we were ready, we brought the charges as soon as we could," Elle E. Klein, assistant U.S. attorney, said.
He walked into the courthouse alone, through a side gate. There's extra security outside the courthouse and homeland security officers circling the grounds with their K-9 partners.
However, it's not clear if the additional security is connected to JP's appearance.
Those who showed up at the courthouse said they protest every week outside JP's former church in Myrtle Beach, following the death of his wife Mica Miller.
Federal prosecutors charged JP...
Kenneth Scott Miller, 48, is charged with a felony count of making a false report to law enforcement. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $500 bond. According to an Escambia County ...