Mica Miller’s Pastor Husband Allegedly Hired P.I. to Surveil Her Before Death — Then Lied to Cops About Why

The South Carolina pastor accused of harassing his estranged wife Mica Miller for months before her 2024 suicide allegedly hired a private investigator to track her, investigators say.

Miller, 30, was found fatally shot at a North Carolina park on April 27, 2024. Her death was ruled a suicide, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said at the time.

However, the aftermath of her death sparked a wave of allegations of abusive behavior against her estranged husband, 46-year-old pastor John Paul Miller, as shared in a Justice For Mica Facebook event at the time. John Paul has not been charged with a crime involving physical abuse.

This week, Miller, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., was indicted on federal charges in connection with an alleged stalking campaign he unleashed upon Mica starting in November 2022 and continuing until her death.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina alleged in a press statement on Thursday, Dec. 18, that John Paul “sent unwanted and harassing communications” and posted a nude photo of her online without her consent.

Court documents obtained by WMBF allege John Paul hired a private investigator to keep tabs on Mica and see if she was having an affair.

However, when investigators inquired about this, John Paul allegedly told them in October 2024 that he had hired the private investigator to make sure she would not buy a gun.

Authorities further accuse John Paul of denying that he damaged Mica’s tires, despite police allegedly finding evidence that he bought a tire-damaging device and contacted others about her vehicle information.

While Mica’s death was ruled a suicide, her loved ones and advocates have called for justice and an investigation into the pastor, additionally setting up a Change.org petition calling for protection of harassment and stalking victims.

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John Paul faces a maximum of five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years for making false statements to federal investigators, if convicted, according to the release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Carolina.

He also faces a fine of up to $250,000. His arraignment has been scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.

PEOPLE has reached out to his lawyers for comment.