Image Credit: MNPD & Tonya Franklin Young / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
On Friday, the Middle Tennessee District of the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced it has federally charged Elijah Miller of Murfreesboro with the unlawful possession of a firearm after he was arrested at the June 14 “No Kings” protest in Nashville for hostilely engaging with demonstrators.
19-year-old Miller arrived in Nashville to counter the “No Kings” protesters dressed in all black, had his face covered with a mask, and supposedly carried a Gadsden “Don’t Tread On Me” flag.
He was initially charged with disorderly conduct by Metro Nashville Police after allegedly engaging in “heated arguments”, shoving or spitting on protesters, and brandishing a handgun.
He was arrested on site at the protest after numerous attendees reported him to volunteer safety officers and law enforcement and was later released on a $1,000 bond. Three days later, the Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) responded to a report of Miller making suicidal comments at his residence where officers found him carrying a loaded 9mm handgun in his waistband.
He was taken to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and then arrested by MPD after discharge the next morning for the new federal charges.
Reportedly, Miller is under a court order deeming him not competent to make his own decisions and significantly restricting his access to firearms. In 2023, the Chancery Court in Rutherford County appointed an emergency conservator for Miller, finding he was “at risk of substantial harm to his health, safety, and welfare.”
Then in 2024, a Chancery Court Judge in Rutherford County issued an Agreed Order of Limited Conservatorship, confirming Miller to be “a disabled person needing care.”
Under a limited conservatorship, the conservator is appointed to make decisions about a disabled adult’s life, but only in specified areas like a residence, access to confidential records, education, or other aspects depending on the court’s determination of disability. The order also required that Miller be accompanied by his conservator or stepfather to purchase any firearms and must allow the conservator to control access to the guns, a condition which he has now seemingly defied at least twice.
Federal prosecutors have reportedly filed a motion asking a federal magistrate to hold a detention hearing to determine if Miller can be safely released, arguing that he has, “previously ignored court-ordered conditions of a conservatorship in the past and, therefore, the Court can have no confidence that the Defendant would abide by whatever condition or set of conditions this Court would order,” should he be released.
They also pointed to Miller’s social media history, claiming his previous posts and online activities, “have raised concerns amongst law enforcement that the Defendant has a desire to commit an act of mass violence.” The specific content of the posts was not reported, but NewsChannel 5 called it a “disturbing online history of glorifying Nazis and mass murders.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire stated about the case, “The right to peaceably protest government action is guaranteed by the First Amendment and cannot be infringed upon by armed individuals whose actions put people in danger. Our efforts to hold firearm offenders accountable are designed to keep all members of the public safe from potential violence.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI Nashville Field Office, Metro Nashville PD, and Murfreesboro PD. If convicted, Miller faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
