WASHINGTON – A 41-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested Thursday on federal charges alleging he engaged in a persistent campaign of cyberstalking against conservative podcaster and former Trump administration official Katie Miller.
According to court documents, John Anthony Proia III of Massachusetts allegedly targeted Miller with at least 40 menacing phone calls and text messages over the course of several weeks. Prosecutors claim the communications included disturbing threats directed at both Miller and her husband, Stephen Miller, who currently serves as a White House deputy chief of staff. The harassment reportedly extended beyond the couple, with investigators alleging that Proia also sent threatening messages to phone numbers belonging to Katie Miller’s parents.
Proia is charged with one count of cyberstalking. While the official court filings did not initially name the victim, a person familiar with the investigation confirmed that it is Katie Miller. The individual spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss non-public details of the case.
Following the arrest, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley issued a stern warning to those who use digital platforms to threaten others. “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,” Foley said in a statement. “We will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”
The investigation into the case has caused internal friction within the FBI’s Washington field office. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, two high-ranking counterterrorism supervisors were recently reassigned by the office’s leadership. These sources indicated that the reassignments were motivated, in part, by dissatisfaction regarding how the officials handled and prioritized the Miller probe.
Darren Cox, the assistant director in charge of the Washington office, pushed back against speculation regarding the personnel changes. In a statement, Cox clarified that the reassignments were not ordered by FBI Director Kash Patel, describing the moves as a standard management decision. “The reassignments were a personnel decision based on our constant evaluation of mission needs,” Cox stated. “Any suggestion otherwise is false.”
The arrest marks a significant development in the federal government’s effort to crack down on the increasing prevalence of targeted online harassment against public figures. As of Thursday afternoon, an attorney listed for Proia had not responded to requests for comment regarding the charges.
The investigation remains ongoing as federal authorities continue to examine the nature and origin of the messages sent to the Miller family.
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