A Myrtle Beach pastor has been indicted on federal charges of cyberstalking his estranged wife in the years leading up to her death, which authorities officially ruled a suicide.
Federal indictment details alleged campaign of harassment
John Paul 'JP' Miller, the 46-year-old former pastor of Solid Rock Church, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday. He faces charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators.
The indictment alleges that Miller engaged in a sustained pattern of unwanted and harassing communications directed at his estranged wife, Mica Miller, beginning in November 2022 and continuing until her death on 27 April 2024.
Prosecutors claim the behaviour included posting a nude photograph of Mica Miller online without her consent and repeatedly contacting her – on one occasion, more than 50 times in a single day. The indictment also states that Miller caused tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle and interfered with her finances and daily activities.
A death ruled suicide amid family allegations
Mica Miller was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. Her death was officially ruled a suicide by the Robeson County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office in May 2024.
However, her family and friends have consistently voiced doubts, alleging a history of domestic abuse and coercive control by JP Miller. Mica Miller had spoken about these concerns in her social media posts prior to her death.
She filed for divorce twice: first in October 2023, a case dismissed in February 2024, and again on 15 April 2024 – just days before she died.
Her family has pointed to several unusual circumstances, noting her body was found roughly 131 feet from where her personal items were located. They argue it could not have floated there naturally. Crucially, her body was released to JP Miller and cremated without an autopsy, toxicology report, or gunpowder residue test, which the family says destroyed critical evidence.
False statements and mounting evidence
The federal indictment further accuses Miller of lying to investigators about his actions. He claimed to have hired a private investigator to protect Mica Miller from buying firearms due to alleged mental health issues. Prosecutors counter that the investigator was actually employed to cyberstalk her over suspicions of adultery.
Miller also denied damaging his wife's tyres, despite evidence that he purchased a tyre deflation device online and sent messages concerning her vehicle.
JP Miller now faces a maximum five-year prison term for cyberstalking and up to two years for the false statements charge, plus fines potentially reaching $250,000. His arraignment is scheduled for 12 January 2026 in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.
He has consistently denied any abuse or involvement in his wife's death and was never considered a suspect in the death investigation. The FBI searched his Myrtle Beach home in November 2024, though the reasons were not disclosed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can contact the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit their website.
