A former pastor allegedly tormented his estranged wife with cyberstalking until her suicide, then lied to federal investigators about his sabotage.
Story Snapshot
- John Paul Miller, 46, indicted on federal cyberstalking and false statements charges after harassing his 30-year-old wife from November 2022 until her death on April 27, 2024.
- Actions included posting her nude photo online, tracking her vehicle, bombarding her with over 50 contacts in one day, and slashing her tires.
- Miller denied tire damage to investigators despite evidence of his online purchase and messages admitting it.
- Arraignment set for January 12, 2026, in U.S. District Court, Florence, South Carolina.
- Case exposes accountability gaps for religious leaders in domestic abuse scenarios.
Indictment Details and Alleged Conduct
John Paul Miller faced a federal grand jury indictment in Columbia, South Carolina, on two counts: cyberstalking and making false statements. The cyberstalking began in November 2022 and continued until his estranged wife’s suicide on April 27, 2024. Prosecutors charged him with posting a nude photo of her online without consent, a clear violation of federal statutes on interstate harassment.
Miller installed tracking devices on her vehicle to monitor her movements. He contacted her more than 50 times in a single day, disrupting her daily life. Financial interference compounded the torment, as he allegedly tampered with her accounts during their divorce proceedings.
Physical sabotage escalated the abuse. Miller purchased a tire deflation device online and damaged her vehicle tires. Text messages to others confirmed his involvement, contradicting his later denials to federal agents.
Victim’s Tragic End and Investigation Trigger
The 30-year-old wife endured this pattern of harassment amid estrangement from Miller, her former pastor husband in Myrtle Beach. Her suicide on April 27, 2024, prompted a federal probe by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. Investigators uncovered digital trails linking Miller to the stalking.
Federal agents interviewed Miller post-death. He falsely claimed no involvement in the tire damage. Evidence from purchase records and his own messages exposed the lie, leading to the second indictment count. This deception strengthened the case under federal cyberstalking laws.
Common sense dictates that leaders, especially pastors, bear heightened responsibility in personal conduct. Facts here align with conservative values emphasizing marital fidelity and truthfulness; Miller’s alleged actions betray both, eroding trust in clerical authority.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences
The U.S. District Court in Florence, South Carolina, schedules Miller’s arraignment for January 12, 2026. Conviction on cyberstalking carries up to five years in prison and $250,000 fine. The false statements charge adds up to two years.
This federal case underscores technology’s role in domestic abuse. Trackers, mass communications, and non-consensual imagery cross state lines, invoking U.S. jurisdiction. Prosecutors aim to deter similar conduct by high-profile figures.
Short-term impacts hit Miller’s reputation and former Myrtle Beach church hardest. Long-term, the case may spur churches to implement stricter abuse reporting, protecting congregants from leaders who weaponize influence against family.
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Pastor charged with alleged cyberstalking of wife who died from suicide
