A former South Carolina pastor has been federally charged with harassing his wife, Mica Miller, and sharing a nude photo of her online in the months leading up to her death in 2024, authorities said.
John Paul Miller, 46, allegedly stalked and harassed Mica, 30, including contacting her more than 50 times in a single day, placing tracking devices on her car, damaging her tires, and interfering with her finances. Prosecutors say these actions occurred between November 2022 and April 2024.
“He sent unwanted and harassing communications to Mica during this time,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina in a Dec. 18 press release announcing the indictment.
Mica was found dead at Lumber River State Park in Orrum, North Carolina, on April 27, 2024. While her death was ruled a suicide, friends expressed concern about the circumstances. “This has to be at least looked into deeply. There’s got to be some accountability here,” said Kenn Young, a close friend of Mica, speaking to WDPE shortly after her death.
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Authorities further allege Miller lied to investigators about damaging her tires, even though evidence shows he purchased a tire-deflation device and sought information about her vehicle prior to the incident.
Following her death, a petition claimed Mica “lost her life due to no one helping her from being harassed and excessively stalked” by her husband. “She made report after report, no contact order was made and received no help, not even from law enforcement,” the petition stated.
Miller faces up to five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years for making false statements to federal investigators, as well as fines of up to $250,000. He is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 12, 2026.