Who is John-Paul Miller? FBI raids South Carolina pastor’s home

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Miller is pastor of Solid Rock Church in South Carolina. His wife, 30-year-old Mica Miller, committed suicide earlier this year, drawing national attention to the couple’s marriage.

Editor’s note: This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Federal authorities conducted an investigation Friday at the South Carolina home of Pastor John-Paul Miller of Solid Rock Church.

The FBI was conducting “court-authorized law enforcement activity” at the Myrtle Beach home, agency spokesman Kevin Wheeler told USA TODAY. He declined to comment further, citing the “ongoing case.”

Reports from local news station WBTW said 25 FBI agents were at the home, wearing “Evidence Response Team” uniforms. The agents were apparently there to execute a search warrant, and neighbors told the station that Miller was not home at the time.

Miller and his church have been under scrutiny since his wife, 30-year-old Mica Miller, was found dead in April at Lumber River State Park. Her death was ruled a suicide, but the case drew national attention after allegations that Miller abused Mica before her death emerged.

Here’s what we know.

Who is John-Paul Miller?

Miller, 45, is a pastor at Solid Rock Church in South Carolina. According to the church’s website, he has been a pastor at the church for the past eight years since 2016. Miller also has five children, Logan, Zachary, Eli, Asher and Selah.

What happened to John-Paul Miller’s wife?

Miller’s wife, Mica, was found dead on April 27 at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina, according to WBTW. A day later, Miller announced her death at the end of a sermon.

“I’m taking a little break and I don’t want to have to worry about the church,” he said before announcing her death. “My break could be a few days, a few weeks, I don’t know.”

In the weeks following Mica’s death, reports began to emerge that Miller abused Mica in the lead-up to her suicide. In one WBTW report from May 8made allegations to Mica that Miller would not allow her to drive and “groomed” her years before their marriage.

She said “she has known her husband since she was 10 years old and that he ‘groomed’ her while she worked for him at Solid Rock Church until they were married six years ago,” police wrote. obtained by WBTW states.

Dozens of protesters held a “Justice for Mica” rally in front of Solid Rock Church back in June after the abuse allegations surfaced.

What has John-Paul Miller said about abuse allegations?

Following allegations of abuse against Mica, Miller told ABC 11 that he is not to blame for his wife’s suicide. Asked about people who blame him for it, he said, “they’re the biggest idiots on planet Earth.”

“I’m the only one who tried to help keep her alive,” Miller said. “No abuse ever. I took care of her better than any man could have taken care of her in every way.”

In an email letter obtained by NewsNationMiller admitted to posting a topless photo of Mica online before her death.

“I’m sorry for putting a picture of you on the internet,” he wrote. “It was for less than an hour and was immediately taken down. I was hurt by you telling all the horrible intimate details of my past sin and I just wanted to try to hurt you, forgive me, it was mean of me the.

USA TODAY was unable to immediately reach Miller or his attorney for comment.

Legal disputes between Miller and Mica’s family

At the end of JuneMiller and Mica’s family reached a settlement and agreed to end all legal disputes they had.

It happened after Sierra Francis, Mica’s sister, filed a petition to become a special administrator of her estate, said WBTW. As part of the petition, Francis alleged that Miller and his church colluded to devalue a home. Additionally, Miller’s attempt to sell the couple’s home during divorce proceedings was an “attempt to defraud and deprive his wife … of her fair share of the marital asset,” according to a complaint obtained by WBTW.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trendy news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him at X @fern_cerv_.