South Carolina Pastor Faces Federal Cyberstalking Charges in Wife’s Death
COLUMBIA, S.C. — John-Paul Miller, a South Carolina pastor, has been federally charged with cyberstalking his estranged wife, Mica Miller, in the year leading up to her death by suicide in April 2024. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Columbia, alleges a disturbing pattern of harassment and intimidation that culminated in significant emotional distress for Mica Miller, authorities said.
The 46-year-old Miller, of Myrtle Beach, faces one count of cyberstalking and one count of making false statements to federal investigators, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. Prosecutors detailed that beginning in November 2022 and continuing until Mica Miller’s death on April 27, 2024, Miller engaged in repeated unwanted communications, sometimes contacting her more than 50 times in a single day. The indictment further alleges that he interfered with her finances and daily life, damaged her car tires, and placed tracking devices on her vehicle.
In one of the most troubling allegations, the indictment states Miller posted a nude photograph of Mica Miller online without her consent, an act that compounded the harassment and contributed to her reasonable fear of serious bodily injury or death. The federal charges emphasize that Miller’s conduct was intended to cause substantial emotional distress.
Mica Miller’s death was ruled a suicide after she was found at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, North Carolina. In the moments before her death, she placed a 911 call, as confirmed by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of cyberstalking and domestic harassment, especially as it relates to emotional and psychological abuse.
The indictment also accuses Miller of lying to federal investigators regarding the tire damage, with evidence showing he purchased a tire-deflation device online and referenced Mica’s vehicle in messages to others. The Horry County Clerk’s Office confirmed that Mica Miller had filed three separate support and maintenance requests prior to her death.
If convicted, Miller faces up to five years in prison for the cyberstalking charge and an additional two years for making false statements, along with fines that could reach $250,000. He is scheduled for arraignment on January 12, 2026, in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.
This case highlights ongoing federal efforts to combat cyberstalking, a crime that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has prioritized due to its increasing prevalence and severe impact on victims. The Department of Justice continues to emphasize the importance of protecting individuals from digital harassment and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.
As the legal process unfolds, advocates for victims of cyber harassment stress the need for awareness and resources to help those suffering from similar abuse. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline remains a critical resource for individuals experiencing distress, offering support to prevent tragedies like the one involving Mica Miller.
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