Carson Valley couple arrested in Virginia City confrontation

A Carson Valley couple and their daughter were arrested on warrants Wednesday out of Storey County in connection with an Aug. 2 confrontation during a Hot August Nights event.

Gary, Janis and Tiffany Miller were videoed by a Black signature gatherer near a building they purchased in March.

Gary Miller has been charged with gross misdemeanor breach of peace, Janis Miller has been charged with battery and Tiffany Miller has been charged with obstructing and delaying a peace officer.

“After submitting our investigation to the Storey County District Attorney and the Storey County Justice Court, we received three warrants of arrest for the subjects,” Storey County Sheriff Mike Culen said. “We subsequently served those warrants of arrest on all three subjects.”

Cullen said the three were booked into the Storey County Detention Center.

The confrontation went viral prompting Hot August Nights to cancel registration for those involved.

“Regarding the incident in Virginia City on Friday, August 2, the individuals featured in the viral video have been identified, and their Hot August Nights registrations have been revoked,” officials for the event which is ongoing in Reno-Sparks this week. “We want to clarify that there were no Hot August Nights representatives, volunteers, or staff present in the video or involved in the situation. The individuals wearing Hot August Nights badges are event participants.”

The incident could result in event organizers ending the segment in Virginia City.

“Following the event, Hot August Nights will further evaluate the Virginia City venue,” organizers said on Sunday.  “We are committed to ensuring integrity and safety at all our events and will take action to remove individuals who diminish or harm others.”

In past years, the Hot August Nights poker run would stop in Minden for lunch on Thursday, but the decision to drop Douglas from the event was made months ago.

According to the Storey County Assessor’s Office, the Millers purchased the property in Virginia City in March. That entry lists an address in Minden. It appears from the Douglas County Recorder's Office that they are recent arrivals in Carson Valley. There is another Gary Miller who lives in Gardnerville who is not related to the man arrested on Wednesday.