MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A crowd of protestors converged outside of Solid Rock Church in Market Common on Sunday, days after the FBI seized boxes of evidence from the home of its embattled pastor.
It wasn’t immediately known whether John-Paul Miller was at the pulpit. Police were on hand amid barricades set up around the property’s perimeter. White “Solid Rock” lettering against the church’s distinctive orange sign had been removed.
Controversy has swirled around Miller and his Market Common church since his wife, Mica, was found dead in late April at the Lumber River State Park in Robeson County. Her death was eventually ruled a suicide, but the case sparked nationwide interest because of allegations that she was abused by her husband before her death.
Federal authorities spent most of Friday conducting an investigation at the Miller’s Coldwater Circle home in the Azaela Lakes community home, leaving just before 5 p.m. Officials were seen carrying items out of the house including boxes, a computer screen, and what looked like an external computer drive.
News13 checked federal court filings for any action against Miller but as of Sunday none was listed.
Melissa Pfeiffer, who launched the now-weekly “Justice for Mica” rallies that take place outside the church every Sunday, said she was heartened to see the FBI get involved.
“It gave merit to what we’ve been doing. We were told for a long time that the FBI was not investigating and that proved not to be true,” she said.
Co-organizer Alexandra Cuozzo agreed.
“It’s a relief, everything that we’ve worked so hard for, ever since the first protest on May 5. I mean, all of us have put our blood, sweat and tears into making sure this could happen,” she said.
Justice Department spokeswoman Veronica Hill told News13 that as of Saturday there have been no charges. She said the agency doesn’t comment on potential indictments.
Miller has not been charged in connection with Mica’s death.
The home is owned by Solid Rock Ministries as part of its $5.59 million real estate portfolio. It was transferred to Miller in December 2023.
The ministry registered a 2007 Cirrus four-seater with the FAA on May 9, according to government records, but the aircraft was last used April 6, flying from Knoxville, Tenn. to Rocky Mount, N.C.
Registration records show the aircraft was sold on Sept. 11 to Myrtle Beach-based FERX LLC, which was incorporated in August.
FERX LLC’s registered agent is Mark Kaufman, owner of Myrtle Beach dueling piano bar Crocodile Rocks — Miller at one point held a minority stake in the business.
The exact reason for the investigation remains unclear, but FBI spokesman Kevin Wheeler told News13 on Friday that agents were “conducting court authorized law enforcement activity” at the home. Miller’s attorney Russell Long did not respond to multiple requests for comment by News13.
News13 also tried contacting Miller about the investigation but has not been able to speak to him. A phone call indicated that the number had been changed or disconnected.
Neighbors said that authorities told them they were at the home to execute a search warrant. They also said that Miller was not home when investigators arrived.
“I came back outside and saw cop cars everywhere. Officers in the front yard with guns drawn, got a little bit nervous,” next-door neighbor Dennis Blair said. “Then I heard the bullhorn go off, saying, ‘This is the FBI, we have your house surrounded. Come out with your hands up. We’re here to execute a warrant.’ At that point, I got a little nervous and they yelled at me to grab my dog and go back into the house.”
This is a developing story.