Federal prosecutors have charged a Massachusetts man with cyberstalking Katie Miller, a conservative podcaster and the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, following an alleged weeks-long campaign of threatening calls and messages.
John Anthony Proia III, 41, of Waltham, Massachusetts, was taken into custody Thursday and indicted on one count of cyberstalking. According to the Justice Department, between August 3 and September 23, Proia sent threatening messages and left numerous vulgar voicemails directed at Miller, her husband, and her parents.
Some of the messages sent to Miller's parents reportedly described Stephen Miller as "evil" and a "Jewish Nazi/white supremacist," according to court documents. The indictment does not name Katie Miller directly, referring to her instead as a former political adviser and prominent Republican figure married to a high-ranking government official. However, multiple outlets, including The Associated Press, confirmed her identity through sources familiar with the case.
Proia pleaded not guilty to the felony charge during an initial appearance before a magistrate judge. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley condemned the alleged behavior in a statement, saying, "As alleged in the Indictment, the defendant repeatedly and relentlessly targeted the victim, her husband and her family with deeply disturbing communications that profoundly disrupted their lives." She added, "Those who use technology to harass, intimidate or torment others should understand that attempts to anonymize their criminal conduct will not shield them from prosecution."
Attorney General Todd Blanche also addressed the case on social media platform X, writing that the alleged conduct was "criminal and will be treated as it should — with prosecution!"
Katie Miller expressed gratitude for the arrest and charges in a post on social media, thanking Todd Blanche, Leah Foley, and the FBI Washington Field Office for keeping her family safe. She noted, "Good to see a Boston grand jury indict this man."
The case highlights the growing concern over cyberstalking and online harassment, particularly targeting public figures and their families. It also underscores the Justice Department's commitment to prosecuting such offenses, even when the perpetrator attempts to conceal their identity.
This incident is not isolated; recent months have seen other federal arrests related to threats against officials. For example, a Texas man was arrested over an alleged plot to attack the Capitol, and a Utah postal worker was charged with discarding mail-in ballots, reflecting broader concerns about political violence and election integrity.
Proia remains in custody pending further proceedings. A detention hearing is expected in the coming days. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, with assistance from the FBI's Washington Field Office.
