News Summary
Recent arrests in Horry County have raised alarming concerns regarding sexual assault, particularly involving minors. Notable cases include Rodolfo Gonzalez Jimenez, accused of assaulting a 12-year-old, and Raul Rodriguez, facing attempted murder charges. Additionally, a lawsuit against local religious figures highlights inadequate protections for minors. The community is increasingly troubled by the surge in both sexual violence and related crimes, prompting ongoing investigations by authorities.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Recent arrests in Horry County have raised serious concerns regarding sexual assault cases involving minors and acts of violence. Authorities took action after multiple incidents, leading to charges against various individuals, including Rodolfo Gonzalez Jimenez, Raul Rodriguez, Maicom Isai Salas-Alvarez, and Joseph Ian Drake.
Rodolfo Gonzalez Jimenez, 51, was apprehended following a reported sexual assault incident involving a 12-year-old girl last Sunday. The girl claimed she was subject to a sexual assault, prompting law enforcement to file charges against Jimenez for a lascivious act as well as criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the third degree. The latter charge specifically applies to situations where the victim is under 16 years old, and the perpetrator is over 14. Currently, Jimenez is incarcerated at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center without bail being set.
In a separate incident connected to alleged sexual misconduct, Raul Rodriguez was charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Rodriguez reportedly opened fire on Maicom Isai Salas-Alvarez after learning that Salas-Alvarez had assaulted Rodriguez’s wife while she was asleep. Rodriguez is said to have driven to the scene armed with a rifle, seeking revenge. Evidence collected at the scene, including spent shell casings and a bullet hole found in Salas-Alvarez’s vehicle, corroborates the incident. Both Rodriguez and Salas-Alvarez were arrested and later released on bonds of $25,000 and $40,000 respectively.
Further compounding these troubling events is a lawsuit filed by a woman identified as Jane Doe #2 against John-Paul Miller and his father, Reginald Wayne Miller, both associated with a religious organization in Myrtle Beach. The suit alleges that inadequate protections were in place for minors navigating their religious programs, creating a harmful environment. Doe #2 claims she experienced sexual abuse from John-Paul Miller during her attendance at Cathedral Hall Academy from 1999 to 2001. The lawsuit details a pattern of emotional and physical abuse that included humiliation and manipulation from the Millers and other students.
Moreover, prior testimonies have surfaced suggesting that John-Paul Miller had previously confessed to sexual misconduct but that church leadership took measures to suppress these allegations. Additionally, Reginald Wayne Miller has a history of legal trouble with a prior arrest for soliciting a prostitute. The lawsuit highlights how both Millers allegedly fostered an environment that allowed sexual misconduct to flourish.
In another unrelated case, Joseph Ian Drake, 48, was arrested for possessing child sexual assault material after police discovered five videos on his phone dated from 2024. An investigation was launched following suspicious messages sent by Drake to juvenile females, leading to his arrest. Drake has been detained in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on a bond of $50,000.
The recent surge in such serious criminal activities involving both sexual assault and violent crime has alarmed local authorities and community members alike. The incidents underline the ongoing challenges related to safeguarding minors and addressing issues of violence in the community. The investigations are ongoing as Horry County continues to grapple with these disturbing cases.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Enhanced Safety Measures for Atlantic Beach BikeFest
Myrtle Beach Shooting Incident Leaves One Dead and Eleven Injured
Shooting Incident at Columbia Place Mall Injures One
Carolina Forest Resident Charged Over Covington Drive Wildfire
Historic Strike by SEIU Local 721 Workers in Los Angeles
Spring Events Bloom in Myrtle Beach with ‘Matilda: The Musical’
Gaffney Woman Faces Serious Consequences in Drug Case
Safety Concerns Greet Visitors in Downtown Myrtle Beach
Chaos Erupts at Lancaster Walmart: Multiple Arrests After Shootout
DEA Raids Underground Nightclub in Colorado Springs
Additional Resources
- ABC News 4
- Wikipedia: Sexual Assault
- WMBF News
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach sexual assault
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Google Scholar: Sexual Assault Lawsuits
- WPDE News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sexual Abuse
- WBTW News
- Google News: Child Sexual Assault
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
