The trials for three family members charged in connection with a racially charged incident in Virginia City have been delayed.
The Virginia Justice Township Court tells 2 News Nevada that there has been a Stay of Proceedings filed on the cases, but did not provide a reason why.
Tiffany Miller’s case was set to start today while the other two trials were set to start at later dates.
The incident, recorded during Hot August Nights last year, went viral on TikTok where it amassed hundreds of thousands of views.
In the video, a black man is recording a group of people and begins yelling, claiming they were making racist comments toward him.
He claims that one man told him there was a “hanging tree” down the street for “[people] like [him],” along with using a racist slur.
NOVEMBER 13, 2024:
The trio charged in connection with a racially charged incident in Virginia City last summer will all now to go trial next year.
They were supposed to all appear in court on Thursday, but now they will head to trial next year.
The Virginia Justice Township Court says Tiffany Miller’s trial starts May 1, 2025. Janice Miller’s trial is scheduled to start one week later and Gary Miller will go to trial on June 5, 2025.
The incident, recorded during Hot August Nights, went viral on TikTok where it amassed hundreds of thousands of views.
In the video, a black man is recording a group of people and begins yelling, claiming they were making racist comments toward him.
He claims that one man told him there was a “hanging tree” down the street for “[people] like [him],” along with using a racist slur.
Update, August 8:
The Storey County Sheriff’s Office says three suspects who were detained following a viral TikTok video showing a racist incident have posted bail and been released from the Storey County Detention Center.
Update, August 7:
Three people seen in what appears to be a racist incident in Virginia City last weekend that went viral on social media have been arrested.
According to a release from the Storey County Sheriff’s Office Gary Miller, Janis Miller, and Tiffany Miller of Storey County were served with arrest warrants and booked into the Storey County Detention Center.
Gary Miller was charged with breach of peace, a gross misdemeanor.
Janis Miller was charged with misdemeanor battery, while Tiffany Miller was charged with obstructing and delaying a peace officer, which is also a misdemeanor.
The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. In their release, they say they are looking at all the information leading up to the incident that was captured on video.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford also released a statement on the arrests.
“The public outcry was heard loud and clear, and steps have been taken to hold these individuals accountable for their racist and unlawful actions,” said AG Ford in his statement. “I commend Sheriff Cullen and his deputies for their responsiveness to the incident giving rise to these outcries. And I appreciate all the calls, emails, and comments on social media expressing concerns and denouncing racism and hatred.”
The Storey County Sheriff’s Office also said it is compiling a list of threatening and harassing phone calls they have received. They say they will look at each call individually and determine whether or not to move forward with separate investigations depending on the circumstances.
In his statement, AG Ford also said that his office has received reports of threats of violence directed towards Storey County community members and law enforcement since the incident.
He said he understood the heightened emotions surrounding the incident but said cooler heads must prevail and that he does not condone threats of violence of any kind.
See the full Storey County Sheriff’s Office release here.
Read AG Ford’s full statement below.
Update, 4:41 p.m. August 4:
Hot August Nights has permanently revoked the registration of the two people seen in a viral TikTok video from Virginia City.
HAN previously identified the duo seen yelling racist comments towards the man taping the video on his phone.
unclerickyd1 posted the video on TikTik over the weekend where it has amassed millions of views and prompted comments from several state lawmakers, including Governor Lombardo, who all condemned the duo’s actions.
The Storey County Sheriff’s Office finished its investigation into the case and has sent it to the Storey County District Attorney for review.
Update, August 5:
unclerickyd1 on TikTok has posted a second video.
In this video, he thanks those who showed him support in Virginia City and on social media.
Governor Joe Lombardo and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto released statements regarding the incident.
I’m concerned and disappointed by this incident in Virginia City this weekend. Racism and hate have no place in Nevada – this behavior must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. We take pride in our rich, diverse history, and we’ll always be a place where all are welcome. https://t.co/tHYFKreDYk
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) August 5, 2024
Racism has no place in Nevada. I’m appalled by the incident this weekend in Virginia City and support the Storey County Sheriff’s investigation.https://t.co/5xdEc1hnH8
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) August 5, 2024
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Update, August 4:
Hot August Nights has released a statement, saying that the people in the video have been identified and their Hot August Nights registrations have been revoked.
The organization also said that no Hot August Nights representatives, volunteers or staff appear in the video. It says the people wearing badges were participants.
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Original Story, August 3:
*****VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED*****
A video posted on TikTok has been going viral.
The video was recorded in Virginia City during the Hot August Nights event and has over 470,000 views. The video was posted by TikTok user unclerickyd1.
In the video, a black man is recording a group of people and begins yelling, claiming they were making racist comments toward him.
He claims that one man told him there was a “hanging tree” down the street for “[people] like [him],” along with using a racist slur.
After a couple minutes, a woman exits the Firehouse Saloon and escorts the man off the property.
The man recording asks her repeatedly not to touch him, while she repeats that she loves him, and he is her brother, and leads him to a sheriff.
Upon reaching the sheriff, the man begins crying and explaining the situation to those surrounding him. One woman says, “I’m so sorry this happened to you,” and offers him a hug.
Although rumors are circulating on social media that some of the people being filmed are affiliated with the Firehouse Saloon, the company made a Facebook post saying “those people in the video are absolutely %100 NOT US”.
The Storey County Sheriff’s Office responded to the video and gave the following statement:
“The Storey County Sheriff’s Office has received concerning reports and video of an incident that occurred in Virginia City on August 2, 2024. We at the sheriff’s office do not condone or support racism, inequality, or hate speech.
Integrity is our standard. We are proud of our profession and will conduct ourselves in a manner that merits the respect of all people. We will demonstrate honest, ethical behavior in all our interactions. We must have the courage to stand up for our beliefs and do what is right. Our actions will instill public trust and a sense and feeling of protection and safety of each individual person of Storey County, resident and visitor alike.
All reports to the Storey County Sheriff’s Office are investigated thoroughly and treated seriously. A case has been pulled regarding this incident and is being investigated. We thank each and every one of you for your patience while the investigation is being finished. Thank you and stay safe.”
