Pastor charged with cyberstalking estranged wife for years before her death

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(A federal grand jury in Columbia, South Carolina, has indicted Myrtle Beach pastor John Paul Miller, 46, on charges of cyberstalking his estranged wife. (Credit: Robeson County Sheriff's Office))

FLORENCE, S.C. - A federal grand jury in Columbia, South Carolina, has indicted a Myrtle Beach pastor on charges of cyberstalking his estranged wife and lying to federal investigators, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

Dig deeper:

 John Paul Miller, 46, has been indicted on two counts of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators.

The indictment alleges that from November 2022 until her death on April 27, 2024, Miller engaged in a pattern of unwanted and harassing conduct toward his estranged wife. 

According to the indictment, Miller posted a nude photograph of the victim online without her consent, caused tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle, and on one occasion contacted her more than 50 times in a single day.

 The indictment further alleges that Miller interfered with the victim’s finances and daily activities and, on one occasion, damaged the tires on her vehicle.

The indictment also alleges that Miller made false statements to federal investigators during an interview about the allegations. Specifically, 

Miller denied damaging the victim’s vehicle tires, despite having purchased a tire deflation device online and sent messages to others concerning the victim’s vehicle.

The backstory:

Deputies with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office responded to Lumber River State Park near Orrum on Saturday, April 27, 2024, after receiving a request to conduct a welfare check on a woman who had contacted 911 expressing concerns about her safety.

According to the sheriff’s office, the call was received at approximately 2:54 p.m. The woman was later identified as Mica Miller. Deputies located Miller shortly after arriving at the park and found her deceased in the water. Investigators reported that she had suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, and a firearm was found nearby.

Based on evidence collected at the scene, the Robeson County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled Miller’s death a suicide.

During the investigation, detectives uncovered information that was not directly related to the cause of death but was deemed relevant to understanding the broader circumstances surrounding the incident. That information involved Miller’s husband and prompted additional review by investigators.

What's next:

If convicted, Miller faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for cyberstalking and up to two years in prison for making false statements, as well as a fine of up to $250,000. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026, in federal court in Florence.