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Who is John Paul Miller? The FBI searches a pastor's home in South Carolina

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Who is John Paul Miller? The FBI searches a pastor's home in South Carolina

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 is about suicide and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call 988, text or chat at 988lifeline.org.

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

The FBI conducted “court-authorized law enforcement operations” at the Myrtle Beach home, agency spokesman Kevin Wheeler told USA TODAY. He declined further comment, citing “ongoing matters.”

According to reports from local news station WBTW, 25 FBI agents wearing Evidence Response Team uniforms were at the house. The agents were apparently there to execute a search warrant, with neighbors telling police that Miller was not home at the time.

Miller and his church are under scrutiny after his wife, 30-year-old Mica Miller, was found dead at Lumber River State Park in April. Her death was ruled a suicide, but the case attracted national interest after allegations came to light that Miller had abused Mica before her death.

Here's what we know.

Who is John Paul Miller?

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

What happened to John-Paul Miller's wife?

According to WBTW, Miller's wife Mica was found dead on April 27 at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. 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 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 emerged alleging that Miller had abused Mica leading up to her suicide. In a May 8 WBTW report, Mica made allegations that Miller didn't allow her to drive and “groomed” her years before they married.

She said “that she has known her husband since she was 10 years old and that he 'nursed' her while she worked for him at Solid Rock Church until they married six years ago,” according to the document obtained by WBTW Police report.

Dozens of protesters held a “Justice for Mica” rally outside Solid Rock Church back in June after the abuse allegations came to light.

What did John-Paul Miller say about the abuse allegations?

Following the abuse allegations against Mica, Miller told ABC 11 that he was not responsible for his wife's suicide. When asked about people who blame him, he said: “They are the biggest idiots on planet Earth.”

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

In an email letter obtained by NewsNation, Miller 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 less than an hour long and was removed immediately. It hurt me that you told everyone horrible, intimate details of my past sin and me.” I was just trying to hurt you. Please forgive me that it was bad of me.

USA TODAY was not immediately able to reach Miller or his attorney for comment.

Legal disputes between Miller and Mica's family

In late June, Miller and Mica's family reached a settlement and agreed to end all litigation.

This came after Sierra Francis, Mica's sister, filed a request to become special administrator of her estate, WBTW said. As part of the petition, Francis claimed that Miller and his church colluded to undervalue a home. Additionally, Miller's attempt to sell the couple's home during the divorce proceedings was an “attempt to defraud his wife and deprive her of her fair share of the marital assets,” according to a complaint obtained by WBTW.

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

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