A former South Carolina pastor faces federal charges for allegedly cyberstalking his estranged wife until her death, exposing how predators can exploit positions of trust while federal authorities finally step in to deliver justice.
Story Snapshot
- John Paul Miller, 46, indicted on federal cyberstalking and false statement charges related to his wife’s death
- Former Myrtle Beach pastor allegedly harassed estranged wife Mica Miller electronically during divorce proceedings
- Each charge carries up to five years in prison, demonstrating serious federal consequences for digital abuse
- Case highlights accountability failures in religious leadership and the need for stronger oversight
Federal Charges Target Religious Leader’s Alleged Digital Abuse
John Paul Miller, a 46-year-old former pastor at Market Common Community Church in Myrtle Beach, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Columbia on December 18, 2025. The two-count indictment charges Miller with cyberstalking his estranged wife, Mica Miller, until her death and making false statements to federal authorities during the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina announced the charges under 18 U.S.C. § 2261A, emphasizing the interstate nature of the alleged electronic harassment.
The charges stem from Miller’s alleged use of electronic communication to harass and intimidate his wife during their contentious divorce proceedings. Federal cyberstalking laws specifically target the use of internet services or electronic devices to cause substantial emotional distress through repeated harassment. Miller’s position as a religious leader makes this case particularly egregious, as pastors are entrusted with providing spiritual guidance and protection to their communities, not exploiting technology to torment vulnerable family members.
Cyberstalking Campaign Escalated During Marriage Breakdown
Miller served as pastor at Market Common Community Church until resigning amid personal controversies related to his deteriorating marriage. The federal indictment alleges that as his relationship with Mica Miller became strained and divorce proceedings commenced, Miller escalated his harassment through digital means. The cyberstalking continued until Mica’s death, demonstrating a sustained pattern of abuse that federal prosecutors believe crossed state lines, triggering federal jurisdiction over what might otherwise be handled as domestic harassment.
Regina Ward, the attorney representing Mica Miller’s family, has provided public commentary emphasizing the strength of the evidence and the significance of federal intervention. The false statement charge suggests Miller attempted to mislead investigators about his actions, potentially obstructing justice in a case involving his wife’s death. This additional charge often strengthens cyberstalking prosecutions by demonstrating consciousness of guilt and deliberate attempts to evade accountability for the underlying harassment.
Religious Community Faces Trust Crisis and Accountability Questions
This indictment exposes fundamental problems with accountability in religious institutions that conservatives have long recognized need addressing. Miller’s alleged abuse of his pastoral position to intimidate his own wife represents exactly the kind of leadership failure that erodes trust in faith communities. The case underscores how some religious leaders exploit their authority while hiding behind spiritual rhetoric, betraying the very families they’re supposed to protect and serve with integrity.
Each federal charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, reflecting the serious nature of using technology to terrorize victims. The prosecution sends a clear message that federal authorities will pursue digital predators regardless of their social standing or professional positions. For conservative Americans who value both religious freedom and personal responsibility, this case demonstrates why accountability must extend to all leaders, especially those entrusted with spiritual authority over vulnerable congregants and family members.
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Myrtle Beach Pastor Indicted for Cyberstalking Wife Before Her Death
