Federal prosecutors have indicted former Myrtle Beach pastor John Paul Miller for allegedly cyberstalking and harassing his estranged wife, Mica Miller, in the months before her death in April 2024. The indictment accuses him of posting a nude photo of Mica without consent, placing trackers on her car, contacting her repeatedly (up to 50 times in one day), and buying a device to deflate tires. He also faces a separate false-statement charge; if convicted he could face prison time and fines. Miller is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 12, 2026.
Former Myrtle Beach Pastor Indicted for Alleged Cyberstalking, Sharing Nude Photo of Wife Before Her 2024 Suicide
Mica Miller/Facebook; Myrtle Beach Police DepartmentMica Miller (left); and John-Paul Miller mugshot.
Federal prosecutors in South Carolina have secured an indictment against former Myrtle Beach pastor John Paul Miller, accusing him of a sustained campaign of stalking and harassment against his estranged wife, Mica Miller, in the months leading up to her death in April 2024.
Charges and Allegations
The indictment, announced Dec. 18 by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina, alleges that between November 2022 and April 2024 John Paul Miller engaged in repeated unwanted communications and harassment. Prosecutors say he posted a nude image of Mica online without her consent, placed tracking devices on her vehicle, and contacted her as many as 50 times in a single day.
Authorities also allege Miller bought a device intended to deflate or slash tires and shared information about Mica's car shortly before her tires were discovered slashed. Investigators say he lied to law enforcement about damaging the tires despite evidence he had purchased a tire-deflation tool and discussed Mica's vehicle with others.
Legal Exposure
The federal indictment includes a cyberstalking count and a charge of making false statements to federal investigators. If convicted, Miller faces up to five years in prison on the cyberstalking charge and up to two years for false statements, along with fines that could reach $250,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 12, 2026.
Mica Miller/facebook
"This has to be at least looked into deeply. There’s got to be some accountability here," said Kenn Young, a friend of Mica, shortly after her death.
Background and Aftermath
Mica, 30, was found dead at Lumber River State Park in Orrum, North Carolina, on April 27, 2024. Her death was ruled a suicide. Authorities say Mica called 911 and told a dispatcher she intended to take her own life.
Following her death, a petition circulated alleging she "lost her life due to no one helping her from being harassed and excessively stalked" and that her repeated reports did not result in effective protection. John Paul Miller has maintained that Mica died by suicide. An attorney for Miller did not comment when contacted by PEOPLE.
Related Civil Allegations
Separately, a civil complaint reviewed by PEOPLE alleges that in Indiana John Paul Miller raped a 15-year-old when he was 19 and serving as a youth church leader; the complaint names his father, Reginald Wayne Miller, as well. The civil filing alleges predatory conduct and abuse of power by the Millers, claims they used positions of authority to manipulate and exploit vulnerable victims, and accuses them of concealing their actions.
Resources
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor through the Crisis Text Line. Those experiencing domestic violence may contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
