MYRTLE BEACH (SC)
WMBF [Myrtle Beach SC]
January 12, 2026
By WMBF News Staff
A former Myrtle Beach pastor was in court on Monday.
John Paul Miller, 46, of Myrtle Beach, appeared before a federal court in Florence on Monday for an arraignment.
During the hearing, John Paul pleaded not guilty to his federal charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators.
John Paul faces up to five years in prison for cyberstalking and up to two years for making false statements.
John Paul waived his right to a speedy trial, which his attorneys said was not unusual, and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.
As part of his bond conditions, John Paul must wear an ankle monitor and may not leave South Carolina. He also may not contact potential witnesses or anyone in Mica Miller’s family.
John Paul is accused of sending unwanted and harassing communications to Mica, his then-wife, from November 2022 until her death on April 27, 2024.
The cameras were rolling as John Paul, in a silver suit, walked out of the courthouse Monday.
John Paul’s indictment states the harassing behavior included posting a nude photo of Mica online without her consent, causing tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle and, in one instance, contacting her more than 50 times in a single day.
The indictment also alleges he interfered with Mica’s finances and her daily activities and, on one occasion, damaged her vehicle’s tires.
Authorities said John Paul told them he hired a private investigator to protect Mica from purchasing firearms, but they allege he actually hired the investigator to cyberstalk her over alleged adultery.
Federal investigators interviewed John Paul about these allegations, and he is accused of lying in his responses.
John Paul said he did not damage Mica’s tires, but the indictment alleges he purchased a tire deflation device online and sent messages to others regarding Mica’s vehicle.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s 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 Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina.
Kevin Moore, agent in charge of the FBI’s Columbia Field Office, called Miller’s alleged actions “predatory.”
Regina Ward, who represented Mica and still works with her family, said she hopes the federal charges are the start of holding John Paul accountable for his alleged emotional abuse of Mica.
John Paul was the pastor at the former Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach.
John Paul and his church were the target of protests surrounding allegations that he had a hand in Mica’s death by suicide in April 2024.
Authorities ruled Mica’s death a suicide. John Paul faces federal charges of cyberstalking and making false statements in connection with the case, but he was not charged with her death.
John Paul’s attorneys said he looks forward to having his day in court.
The full indictment can be found below:
John Paul Miller Indictment by dylan.leatherwood