close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

    • Who is John-Paul Miller? The FBI raids the pastor’s home in South Carolina
    news

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

    Vaseline Posted on

    Miller is a pastor at 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 home of Pastor John-Paul Miller of Solid Rock Church in South Carolina.

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

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

    Miller and his church have come 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 attention following allegations that Miller had abused Mica before her death came to light.

    Here’s what we know.

    Who is John-Paul Miller?

    Miller, 45, is a pastor at Solid Rock Church in South Carolina. He has been a pastor at the church for eight years since 2016, according to the church’s website. 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 at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, according to WBTW. A day later, Miller announced her death at the end of a sermon.

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

    In the weeks following Mica’s death, reports surfaced alleging that Miller had abused Mica leading up to her suicide. In a May 8 WBTW report, Mica made allegations that Miller did not allow her to drive and “groom” her years before their wedding.

    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 married six years ago,” according to the police report obtained by WBTW.

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

    What has John-Paul Miller said about abuse allegations?

    Following abuse allegations against Mica, Miller told ABC 11 that he is not responsible for his wife’s suicide. Asked about people blaming him for this, he said: “They are the biggest idiots on planet Earth.”

    “I’m the only one who tried to keep her alive,” Miller said. ‘There has never been any abuse. I took better care of her than any man could have taken care of her in any way.”

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

    “I’m sorry I posted a picture of you on the internet,” he wrote. ‘It was for less than an hour and was removed immediately. I just wanted to hurt you. Please forgive me. It was bad of me to do that.”

    USA TODAY could not immediately 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 any legal disputes they had.

    That came after Sierra Francis, Mica’s sister, filed a petition to become special administrator of her estate, according to WBTW. As part of the petition, Francis alleged that Miller and his church conspired to undervalue a home. In addition, 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 marital assets,” according to a complaint obtained by WBTW.

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

    Vaseline
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like