Mica Miller's Husband Remains Estate Representative Despite Federal Charges as Mother Appeals Court Ruling

A South Carolina probate judge has ruled that John-Paul Miller will remain in charge of his late wife Mica's estate, despite a federal indictment accusing him of cyberstalking her in the months before her death. Mica's mother, Angelita Salas, filed notice on 18 September 2026 that she intends to challenge the decision in Horry County's probate court.

Miller faces federal cyberstalking and false-statement charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Judge Charles R Rhodes Jr ruled that the indictment alone did not establish grounds for removing him. The decision leaves Miller responsible for administering the estate under a settlement reached with Mica's family in 2024.

Mica, 30, died on 27 April 2024 at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, North Carolina. Investigators ruled her death a suicide. Her family subsequently accused Miller of psychological abuse and questioned the circumstances surrounding her death.

Those allegations remain disputed, and Miller has not been charged with causing her death.

The family's 2024 settlement allowed Miller to become the estate's personal representative and resolved an earlier legal dispute.

However, The Post and Courier reported that the agreement also prevents relatives from pursuing a wrongful-death lawsuit against him. The settlement was reached more than a year before federal prosecutors brought charges against Miller.

Judge Cites Lack of Evidence To Remove Miller

In his 10 September ruling, Rhodes rejected Salas's petition to remove Miller from his position. Salas had cited the federal indictment and separate allegations of sexual abuse raised in civil proceedings, according to court reporting.

The judge found insufficient evidence to justify removing Miller, including no evidence that he had mismanaged the estate or violated court orders.

Rhodes also considered whether Miller could be disqualified over allegations concerning Mica's death. 'No evidence established by a preponderance of the evidence that [John-Paul Miller] feloniously and intentionally killed the Decedent.'

The finding addressed a possible ground for disqualification under probate law. It did not constitute a criminal acquittal or determine Miller's guilt or innocence on the separate federal charges.

The judge also emphasised that an indictment does not establish criminal wrongdoing. 'The federal indictment is merely an accusation and does not establish the truth of the allegations,' Rhodes wrote.

Salas filed her notice of intent to appeal eight days after the ruling. The available reporting does not establish the specific legal grounds she intends to pursue.

As personal representative, Miller is responsible for administering the estate in accordance with probate law. That appointment does not mean he personally owns all the estate's assets.

Settlement Deal Shapes Who Controls Estate

The dispute over who should administer Mica's estate began shortly after her death. Her sister, Sierra Francis, was appointed special administrator on 3 May 2024 before a settlement changed the arrangement.

Francis subsequently filed three legal notices known as lis pendens concerning properties associated with Miller and Solid Rock Ministries, where he previously served as pastor. Such notices alert prospective buyers and other parties that properties are involved in legal proceedings.

According to WMBF's review of property records, two of the properties were transferred to the church approximately four and eight months before Mica's death. The timing of those transfers does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing.

The summer 2024 settlement brought an end to the earlier estate dispute. Francis withdrew her objections to Miller's appointment and cancelled the three property notices. It is reported that Miller formally became personal representative on 5 August 2024.

Court records valued Mica's estate at approximately $9,700 (£7,329), including $300 (£227) in cash. The disagreement concerns who has legal authority to administer the estate, rather than establishing ownership of the properties mentioned in the earlier dispute.

The chronology also raises questions about the judge's reasoning. Rhodes wrote that Mica's family knew of the matters raised against Miller when they agreed to the settlement.

However, the agreement preceded the December 2025 federal indictment by more than a year. The reported findings do not establish that relatives knew criminal charges would subsequently be filed.

Federal Case Against Pastor Still Pending

A federal grand jury indicted Miller in December 2025 on charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to investigators. The US Department of Justice alleges that Miller engaged in unwanted and harassing communications with Mica from November 2022 until her death.

Prosecutors accuse him of posting an intimate photograph without her consent and causing tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle. They also allege that he contacted her more than 50 times in a single day and interfered with her finances and daily activities.

The indictment further alleges that Miller made false statements when questioned by federal investigators about his conduct. He has pleaded not guilty, and none of the federal allegations has been established at trial.

The federal charges are separate from civil lawsuits involving allegations of sexual misconduct brought by other women. Those accusations also remain unproven and are not charges in the federal prosecution concerning Mica.

Miller's legal team has said it is seeking information that could help exonerate him. His federal trial, previously expected in October 2026, has been postponed to the January 2027 court term, according to Court TV. An exact trial start date has not been confirmed in the available reporting.

Miller's attorney, Russell Long, declined to comment on the September probate ruling. Regina Ward, an attorney who represented Mica, said that the earlier settlement remained in place. Neither statement establishes how the mother's intended appeal will be resolved.

Salas's 18 September filing does not overturn the probate court's decision, leaving Miller responsible for administering Mica's estate. The grounds for the proposed appeal have not been detailed in the available reporting.

At the time of publication, the estate dispute and Miller's federal criminal case remain separate proceedings, and no court has yet ruled on the merits of the appeal.