United States Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina
12/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/18/2025 07:21
Myrtle Beach Pastor Indicted for Cyberstalking Wife Before Her Death
Press Release
Myrtle Beach Pastor Indicted for Cyberstalking Wife Before Her Death
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina
FLORENCE, S.C. - A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a two-count indictment against John Paul Miller, 46, of Myrtle Beach, for cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators.
The indictment alleges that beginning in November 2022, Miller sent unwanted and harassing communications to his estranged wife until her death on April 27, 2024. The harassing behavior included Miller posting a nude photo of the victim online without her consent, causing tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle, and in one instance, contacting her over 50 times in a single day. The indictment also alleges he interfered with her finances and her daily activities and on one occasion damaged her vehicle tires.
Federal investigators interviewed Miller about these allegations and Miller lied in his responses. Miller said he hired a private investigator to protect the victim from purchasing firearms. In reality, he hired the investigator to cyberstalk her for alleged adultery. Miller said he did not damage the victim's tires, when in fact he purchased a tire deflation device online and sent messages to others regarding the victim's vehicle.
Miller faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years in prison for his false statements. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026, in federal court in Florence.
The case was investigated by 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, NC Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle E. Klein and Katie Stoughton are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle E. Klein and Kathleen Stoughton are prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Updated December 18, 2025
Topic
Cybercrime
United States Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina published this content on December 18, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 18, 2025 at 13:21 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]