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

Miller is the pastor at Solid Rock Church in South Carolina. His wife, Mica Miller, 30, 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 write 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Federal authorities investigated Friday at the South Carolina home of the Rev. John-Paul Miller of Solid Rock Church.

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

Reports from local news station WBTW he said there were 25 FBI agents in the house wearing “evidence response team” uniforms. 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 came under surveillance after his wife, 30-year-old Mika Miller, was found dead at Lumber River State Park in April. Her death was ruled a suicide, but the case gained national attention after allegations that Miller had abused Mika before her death came to light.

Here’s what we know.

Who is John-Paul Miller?

Miller is 45 years old and is a pastor at ul Solid Rock Church in South Carolina. As of 2016, he has been the church’s pastor for eight years, 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 on April 27 in Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. according to WBTW. A day later, Miller announced her death at the end of her 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 might be a few days, a few weeks, I don’t know.”

In the weeks after Mika’s death, reports began to emerge that Miller had abused Mika before her suicide. In WBTW report from May 8Mica made allegations that Miller didn’t let her drive and “groomed” her years before they married.

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

Dozens of demonstrators organized, among others: Justice for Mickey Rally. outside Solid Rock Church in June after abuse allegations surfaced.

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

Following the harassment allegations against Mika, Miller told ABC 11 that he is not to blame for his wife’s suicide. When asked if people blamed him for this, he replied that “they are the biggest idiots on Earth.”

“I’m the only person who tried to help keep her alive,” Miller said. “There was never any type of violence. I took care of her better than any man could have taken care of her in every way.”

In an email obtained by NewsNationMiller admitted that she posted a topless photo of Mika on the Internet before her death.

“I’m sorry I put your picture on the Internet,” he wrote. “It lasted less than an hour and was immediately removed. I felt hurt that you were telling everyone the horrible, intimate details of my past sin, and I just wanted to try to hurt you. Please forgive me for doing this.

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

Legal disputes between Miller’s family and Mika

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

This came after Sierra Francis, Mika’s sister, applied to become special administrator of her estate. WBTW stated. As part of the petition, Francis accused Miller and his church of colluding to lower the value of the home. Moreover, Miller’s attempt to sell the couple’s house during the divorce proceedings constituted “an attempt to defraud and deprive his wife (…) of her due share of the marital property,” according to complaint received by WBTW.

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