The first court date for a family involved in a widely publicized incident in Virginia City, which gained national attention on TikTok over allegations of racism, is scheduled.
A pretrial conference is on Thursday, November 14, for Gary Miller, his wife Janis Miller, and their daughter Tiffany Miller. The hearing happens at the Justice Court in Virginia City, as confirmed by the Storey County District Attorney’s Office.
Storey County Sheriff deputies arrested the Millers on Wednesday, August 7, following an altercation on August 2 during the Hot August Nights classic car event in Virginia City. The incident involved a confrontation with Ricky Johnson, a Black canvasser gathering signatures for a petition to cap attorney’s fees in Nevada.
Johnson posted a video of the incident on TikTok, getting over a million views before being removed.
The video captured a heated exchange in which Johnson accused Gary Miller of using a racial slur and making a violent threat. Johnson claimed that Miller told him to “get out of my face with the N-word” and mentioned having “a hanging tree in my backyard for [racial slur] like you.”
The video also showed Janis Miller touching Johnson’s arm, which he described as an assault. Tiffany Miller was reportedly involved in obstructing the peace officer during the incident. However, acts like the use of the ‘N’ word by Gary Miller do not appear in the video.
The confrontation met widespread condemnation from several Nevada figures, including Governor Joe Lombardo, Attorney General Aaron Ford, officials from Virginia City, and Hot August Nights. The latter organization permanently banned the Millers from attending future events.
Gary Miller faces breach of the peace charges, a gross misdemeanor, and an unlawful act due to perceived race. Janis Miller faces a battery charge, and Tiffany Miller is charged with obstructing and delaying a peace officer, both misdemeanors.
The Storey County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is still investigating and has urged witnesses to come forward. Also under review by the SCSO are threatening and harassing phone calls received after the incident while working with state authorities to determine whether further investigations are warranted.
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