Myrtle Beach, January 23, 2026
John-Paul Miller, a former pastor from Myrtle Beach, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges including cyberstalking and making false statements about his estranged wife, Mica Miller. The indictment details a pattern of harassment against her between November 2022 and her death in April 2024. Despite being released on bond with strict conditions, Miller’s case has raised significant public interest regarding domestic harassment issues. The maximum penalties for his charges could result in several years of imprisonment.
Myrtle Beach
A former Myrtle Beach pastor, John-Paul Miller, 46, has entered a plea of not guilty to federal charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators. This plea follows his arraignment in Florence federal court on January 12, 2026. The legal proceedings continue in a case that has drawn considerable public attention, centering on serious allegations of harassment against his estranged wife, Mica Miller, prior to her death.
Conditions of Release and Indictment Details
Mr. Miller has been released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. The conditions of his release stipulate that he must wear an ankle monitor, surrender his passport, and is not permitted to leave the state of South Carolina. Furthermore, he is prohibited from contacting any potential witnesses or members of Mica Miller’s family. Prosecutors had expressed concerns regarding Mr. Miller as a flight risk, noting the discovery of valuables and apparent access to a private plane at his residence.
A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a two-count indictment against Mr. Miller in December 2025. This indictment alleges a persistent pattern of unwanted and harassing communications directed at his estranged wife, Mica Miller, beginning in November 2022 and continuing until her death on April 27, 2024.
Allegations of Harassment and Deceit
The specific allegations outlined in the indictment describe various forms of purported harassment and interference. These include the alleged act of posting a nude photograph of Mica Miller online without her consent, as well as the placement of tracking devices on her vehicle. On at least one occasion, Mr. Miller is accused of contacting her more than 50 times in a single day. The indictment further alleges that he interfered with her finances and daily activities, and in one instance, caused damage to her vehicle’s tires.
Federal investigators interviewed Mr. Miller concerning these allegations, and he is accused of making false statements in his responses. For example, while he asserted that he hired a private investigator to prevent Mica Miller from purchasing firearms, authorities allege the actual purpose was to cyberstalk her over suspected infidelity. Similarly, he denied damaging his estranged wife’s tires, but the indictment claims he purchased a tire deflation device online and communicated with others about her vehicle.
Context of Mica Miller’s Death
Mica Miller’s death occurred on April 27, 2024, at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, North Carolina, and was ruled a suicide. Her passing prompted her family and supporters to call for further investigation into the circumstances of her life. The federal indictment against Mr. Miller marks the first occasion he has faced charges directly related to the inquiry into his estranged wife’s experiences.
The federal investigation into this matter was a collaborative undertaking, involving the FBI Columbia Field Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the Horry County Police Department, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, and the Robeson County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office.
Should Mr. Miller be convicted, he faces a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years for making false statements, in addition to a fine of up to $250,000. Depending on the jury’s findings, the aggregate potential sentence could extend significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the federal charges against former Myrtle Beach pastor John-Paul Miller.
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What are the federal charges against John-Paul Miller?
John-Paul Miller is facing federal charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators.
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When did John-Paul Miller enter his plea?
John-Paul Miller appeared in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, on January 12, 2026, where he entered a plea of not guilty to federal charges.
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What are the allegations of cyberstalking?
The indictment alleges that John-Paul Miller engaged in a pattern of harassment against his estranged wife, Mica Miller, from November 2022 until her death on April 27, 2024. This included posting a nude photo of her online without consent, placing tracking devices on her vehicle, contacting her more than 50 times in a single day, interfering with her finances and daily activities, and damaging her vehicle’s tires.
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What false statements is John-Paul Miller accused of making?
He is accused of lying to federal investigators about damaging his estranged wife’s tires and about the purpose of hiring a private investigator. He claimed the private investigator was to protect her from purchasing firearms, but authorities allege it was to cyberstalk her over suspected infidelity.
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What are the conditions of John-Paul Miller’s release?
He has been released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. Conditions include wearing an ankle monitor, surrendering his passport, remaining in South Carolina, and not contacting potential witnesses or Mica Miller’s family.
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What is the maximum penalty for these charges?
If convicted, John-Paul Miller faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years for making false statements, along with a fine of up to $250,000.
Key Features of the Indictment Against John-Paul Miller
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Individual Indicted | John-Paul Miller, 46, former Myrtle Beach pastor |
| Federal Charges | Cyberstalking; Making False Statements to Federal Investigators |
| Indictment Date | December 2025 |
| Plea Entered | Not Guilty (January 12, 2026) |
| Alleged Harassment Period | November 2022 – April 27, 2024 (until Mica Miller’s death) |
| Nature of Harassment Allegations | Posting a nude photo online without consent, placing tracking devices on vehicle, over 50 contacts in a single day, interfering with finances and daily activities, damaging vehicle tires |
| Alleged False Statements | Lied about damaging tires; lied about purpose of hiring private investigator (claimed to protect from firearm purchase, alleged to cyberstalk over infidelity) |
| Estranged Wife’s Death | Mica Miller, died by suicide on April 27, 2024, in Robeson County, NC |
| Bond Conditions | $100,000 unsecured bond, ankle monitor, passport surrender, restricted to South Carolina, no contact with witnesses or Mica Miller’s family |
| Maximum Penalties (if convicted) | 5 years for cyberstalking, 2 years for false statements, up to $250,000 fine |
| Investigating Agencies | FBI Columbia Field Office, S.C. Law Enforcement Division, Myrtle Beach Police Dept., Horry County Police Dept., Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Robeson County, NC Sheriff’s Office |
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
