SC pastor arrested over wife's death after confrontation with protesters

This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

John-Paul Miller, a South Carolina pastor, was arrested Wednesday night on assault and battery charges, months after controversies surrounding the suicide of his late wife Mica Miller thrust his name into the spotlight.

According to county records, Miller, 45, was released on $776 bond Thursday in Horry County on charges of third-degree assault and battery.

His arrest came after reports of a confrontation with protesters outside his local church, Solid Rock at Common Market, on Wednesday. His attorney, Russell Long, could not immediately be reached, but his office told Fox News Digital that he had no comment on his wife's case.

Miller's name was back in the news on November 1st, when the FBI confirmed to Fox News that they conducted an authorized search at Miller's home Myrtle Beach this Friday. It is unclear exactly which agents were recovered from his home.

MICA MILLER'S 911 CALL REVEALS THE LAST MOMENTS BEFORE HER DEATH AS NC AUTHORITIES QUESTION 'CONSPIRACY THEORY'

Mica Miller died by suicide in April. The 30-year-old woman was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound The Lumber River State Park in North Carolinathe Robeson County Sheriff's Office previously confirmed. She had purchased a handgun the same day she died.

The case drew national attention as court documents highlighted the couple's contentious relationship and Mica's sisters took to social media to demand justice for her death.

According to FOX 8 Greensboro, Mica had filed for divorce two days before her death.

MICA MILLER CASE: FBI CONDUCTS SEARCH OF PASTOR HUSBAND'S SOUTH CAROLINA HOME

The Horry County Clerk's Office in South Carolina confirmed to Fox News Digital that Mica Miller had filed three different “separate support and maintenance requests” since last year – the most recent was filed on April 16. (Facebook)

The Millers' girlfriend, Alicia Young, told Fox News Digital that at least 25 FBI agents were at John-Paul's home for five hours collecting evidence. The collection of evidence including removing fingerprints from the doors.

Young said John-Paul left the apartment just two minutes before FBI agents arrived, “and they found him at Starbucks and served him.”

SC Pastor's Wife Mica Miller Told Police She Was Stalked Before Her Suicide: DOCS

The Robeson County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina is reportedly investigating the April 27 death of 30-year-old Mica Miller of Myrtle Beach. (Facebook)

“While they were there he was not allowed into his home and he is in their custody for questioning,” she said.

John-Paul was not charged with any crime in connection with his wife's death, and the Robseon County Sheriff's Office stated at the end of its investigation that John-Paul had an alibi on the day of Mica's death.

Mica's friends and family shared posts on social media with the hashtag “JusticeforMica.” (Facebook)

“Through interviews, investigators learned that John Paul Miller was at a sporting event in Charleston on the day of Mica Miller's death. “John Miller’s vehicle was observed on the Hwy 17 bypass in Horry County at 2:22 p.m. on April 27, 2024,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “The investigation confirmed that John Miller was accompanied on the way to and from the event in Charleston, SC.”

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Solid Rock Ministries' website has been deleted and John-Paul appears to be working on moving the church's location, according to FOX 8.

Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.