Former Pastor Faces Cyberstalking Charges, Court Appearance Delayed

John-Paul Miller's federal trial pushed to summer as prosecutors provide 'voluminous' new evidence

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:56pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a faint blue light, conceptually representing the digital evidence and technology at the heart of this cyberstalking case.As prosecutors build their cyberstalking case, the digital trail of evidence takes center stage.Florence Today

Former Solid Rock Church pastor John-Paul Miller won't appear in federal court until this summer after a judge granted his attorneys' request for a continuance. Miller pleaded not guilty in January to charges of cyberstalking and lying to police following the 2024 death of his estranged wife, Mica. Prosecutors say they recently provided the defense with a large amount of new evidence, prompting the delay.

Why it matters

The case highlights the growing issue of technology-enabled domestic abuse, as well as the challenges prosecutors face in building complex cybercrime cases. Miller's alleged actions and the subsequent legal proceedings will be closely watched in the local community.

The details

Miller is accused of cyberstalking Mica for nearly three years, beginning in November 2022 and continuing until her death by suicide in April 2024. Prosecutors say he lied to investigators about the frequency of their contact and damaging her vehicle's tires. Miller was indicted in December 2025 and pleaded not guilty in January 2026.

  • Miller was indicted on December 17, 2025.
  • Miller pleaded not guilty to the charges on January 11, 2026.
  • Miller's pretrial conference was originally scheduled for April 14, 2026.
  • On April 4, 2026, Miller's attorneys requested a continuance due to 'voluminous' new evidence provided by prosecutors five days prior.
  • The judge granted the continuance, pushing Miller's court appearance to June 2026.

The players

John-Paul Miller

A former pastor at Solid Rock Church who is facing federal charges of cyberstalking and lying to police following the 2024 death of his estranged wife, Mica.

Mica Miller

The estranged wife of John-Paul Miller who died by suicide in 2024, prompting the federal investigation into her husband.

Thomas Rogers III

The U.S. District Court judge presiding over the case who granted the continuance request.

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What they’re saying

“'Five days ago the government made additional discovery available. This discovery is voluminous and defense counsel needs time to review the new discovery and digest it prior to meeting with the defendant to conduct a meaningful review with him.'”

— Miller's attorneys

What’s next

The judge will decide on Miller's next court appearance date in June 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing issue of technology-enabled domestic abuse and the challenges prosecutors face in building complex cybercrime cases, especially when dealing with large amounts of new evidence. The local community will closely watch the proceedings as they unfold.