A South Carolina pastor has been indicted on federal charges related to his conduct toward his wife in the months leading up to her death, though the charges do not accuse him of causing her death.
A federal grand jury has charged 46-year-old John Paul Miller of Myrtle Beach with one count of cyberstalking and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. The charges stem from his interactions with his estranged wife, 30-year-old Mica Miller, who died by suicide in April at a North Carolina state park.
According to prosecutors, Miller engaged in a pattern of harassment from November 2022 until Mica’s death on April 27, 2024. The indictment alleges he sent her repeated unwanted messages—sometimes more than 50 in a single day—interfered with her finances and daily routine, tampered with her vehicle, placed tracking devices on her car, and shared an intimate image of her online without her consent. Investigators also say Miller hired a private investigator to follow her.
Federal authorities state that this conduct caused Mica Miller to experience reasonable fear of death or serious bodily harm and was likely to cause significant emotional distress. Court records show she had recently filed for divorce.
On the day of her death, Mica contacted 911 from Lumber River State Park, telling dispatchers she feared she might harm herself, according to Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. Deputies later located her in the water. The North Carolina medical examiner ruled her death a suicide.
Sheriff Wilkins said his office requested federal involvement after uncovering potential crimes that fell outside state jurisdiction. He also addressed widespread online speculation surrounding the case, emphasizing that investigators relied on evidence rather than rumors.
Prosecutors further allege Miller lied to investigators about damaging Mica’s tires. Authorities say evidence shows he purchased a tire-deflation tool and sent messages referencing her vehicle.
If convicted, Miller faces up to five years in prison on the cyberstalking charge and up to two years for making false statements, along with possible fines of up to $250,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 12, 2026, in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.
Wilkins said the case highlights forms of domestic abuse that may not leave visible injuries. “This case underscores the seriousness of domestic violence abuse and related offenses and serves as a reminder that such behavior has no place in our society,” he said.
If you or someone you know is struggling or considering suicide, help is available by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or by visiting 988lifeline.org.