A pastor from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, John Paul Miller, was indicted on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in Florence Federal Court by federal authorities for cyberstalking and lying to officials. He was charged with one count of cyberstalking and one count of false statements. These charges come two years after his wife, Mica Miller,’s death, which gained national attention and sparked protests in the Horry County area.
Charges Presented at Indictment
In the indictment, it alleges that at the beginning of November 2022, John Paul sent “unwanted and harassing communications” to his wife, Mica, until she died on April 27, 2024. The U.S. Department of Justice released a statement,
“The harassing behavior reportedly included Miller posting a nude photo of the victim online without her consent, causing tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle, and in one instance, contacting her over 50 times in a single day. The indictment also alleges he interfered with her finances and her daily activities and on one occasion damaged her vehicle tires.”
John Paul allegedly lied in his responses when being questioned by authorities about the harassment allegations. He is accused of telling federal investigators that he intended to protect Mica from purchasing firearms by hiring a private investigator. Authorities argue that he hired the PI to “cyberstalk her for alleged adultery.” Additionally, authorities alleged he told investigators he did not damage Mica’s tires, but the indictment suggests otherwise. It states he purchased a tire deflation device online and sent messages to other people about her car.
If John Paul is convicted of these charges, federal authorities say he could face a maximum of five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years for false statements, with an added fine of up to $250,000. His next scheduled court appearance is January 12, 2026, at the Florence Federal Court.
Mica and Her Husband John-Paul Miller
John Paul, 46, and Mica Miller, 30, got married in 2018. In January 2023, the couple had separated, and in October 2023, they officially filed for divorce. Mica committed suicide on April 27 at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, less than a year after they filed for divorce. Following her death, authorities released a timeline of events from the day she died, security footage, and a transcript of her call with 911.
Two months before her death, on February 8, 2024, Mica was involuntarily hospitalized and held for 48 hours. She was discharged, and the staff told her John Paul had picked up her purse and car keys while she was there. A police report that was filed said she returned to the Walmart Neighborhood Market parking lot to find that her car was no longer there. She alleged to the police that she believed John Paul was responsible for her “involuntary” hospitalization and stole her car while she was at the hospital.
Mica reportedly told an officer that she had known John Paul since she was 10 years old, working at the Solid Rock Church, where he was a pastor, and claims he “groomed” her. When the officer reached out to John Paul for his statement, he claimed Mica suffers from “episodes” annually around Christmas time and that she spends large amounts of money when she does not take her medication.
Apparent Suicide
On the day of Mica’s death, she is seen leaving around 10 a.m. on her Ring doorbell camera from her home. She arrives back less than an hour later, but leaves again shortly after. Around 12 p.m., she is seen on surveillance at Dick’s Pawn Shop buying a weapon and ammunition. Once she leaves, she travels in her black Honda Accord down the highway. Later on, just before 3 p.m., she made a 911 call from an 843-area code number requesting her phone be located and “threatened suicide.” She hung up and was unable to be reached again.
At 3:03 p.m., Robeson County deputies were dispatched to her location for a welfare check, and a thorough search for her was conducted. Her purse with her ID was found by a bystander fishing, and they reported hearing a person cry before a gunshot rang out.
A body was discovered an hour later by a kayaker and was later identified at Mica. Her family challenges the cause of her death and John Paul’s statement of events. He said she died from suicide before the medical examiner ruled on it. Mica’s sister, Sierra Francis, alleged Mica endured “abuse and violence” in her relationship with John Paul.
The day before Mica’s death, authorities confirmed John Paul and his partner at the time were not in North Carolina. He supposedly went to Charleston for a sporting event and was staying overnight. He drove back to Myrtle Beach the next day, and his traveling companions can attest to his whereabouts. He was never able to be charged with her death.
