FBI searched former Horry County council member’s Conway home. What were they looking for?
New information sheds some light on why the FBI searched the home of a former Horry County Council member and Atlantic Beach interim city manager.
On Jan. 30, the federal agency searched Orton Bellamy’s Conway house while investigating “a public corruption case involving threatening letters,” according to a police report from the State Law Enforcement Division, who assisted the FBI.
Bellamy did not respond to a request to comment.
The police report contained little information, only stating what was being investigated and how SLED had closed the case. The FBI is still investigating and cannot comment on an open case, according to spokesperson Kevin Wheeler.
John David Jr., an Atlantic Beach town council member, said he was surprised to hear Bellamy had been accused of public corruption. He did not know what the circumstances may be.
Bellamy won a seat on the Horry County Council in 2018 but lost his re-election bid in 2022, The Sun News reported. Last year he served as the interim city manager for Atlantic Beach but was removed in November, according to David.
Atlantic Beach has been dealing with a host of problems since its 2023 municipal elections. While attempting to certify votes after the election, the mayor fired the entire election commission, leaving the mayoral race between David and Josephine Isom up in air, The Sun News reported. The winner has still not yet been determined.
It’s unclear if the alleged public corruption occurred during Bellamy’s time on the Horry County Council or working for Atlantic Beach.
This search happened while the FBI was investigating another public corruption case in North Charleston. The FBI accused eight people, including three city council members, of bribery, kickbacks, extortion, and money laundering, The State reported.
Jerome Heyward, Sandino Moses and Mike A. Brown face various charges, including bribery and conspiracy. Heyward and Moses have agreed to plead guilty, while Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury. Non-elected defendants include Donavan Moten, Aaron Hicks, Hason Fields, Michelle Stent-Hilton, and Rose Lorenzo, who were allegedly involved in facilitating or benefiting from the schemes
The charges involve such schemes as rezoning a hospital site and misusing violence prevention grant funds, with council members accused of exploiting their positions for personal gain.
The FBI also has an open investigation involving Myrtle Beach pastor John-Paul Miller. Miller has been accused of being involved in the death of his late wife, Mica Miller, who killed herself in a North Carolina state park in April 2024, according to The Sun News. John-Paul Miller has denied the accusations.
The case has gained national attention.
The FBI searched his home in November, but has not released more information.
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
