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.
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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
