Military Veteran Charged with Cyberstalking Katie Miller

<figure><img alt="WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 30: White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's wife, Katie Miller, listens as U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speak to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Musk, who served as an adviser to Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency, announced he would leave his role in the Trump administration to refocus on his businesses. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/IZRPDD2JPZGPJMBQR36J4PNOU4.jpg?auth=2d394aa72d52ebaeca925c8628596e1df50b33d025333b9fefbc13b90a7af228&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3532&amp;height=1987" /><figcaption>Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>The U.S. Department of Justice has charged John Anthony Proia III, a 41-year-old military veteran from Waltham, Massachusetts, with one count of cyberstalking Katie Miller, the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. The charge was filed on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following allegations that Proia contacted Miller over 40 times through phone and text messages, leaving threatening communications.</p><p>According to prosecutors, Proia's messages included a menacing tone and expletives directed at Katie Miller and her husband. He also allegedly contacted her parents with derogatory remarks about the Millers.</p><p>Leah Foley, the U.S. attorney in Massachusetts, stated, "The defendant repeatedly and relentlessly targeted the victim, her husband and her family with deeply disturbing communications that profoundly disrupted their lives." Proia has pleaded not guilty to the charges.</p><p>The indictment follows internal discussions within the DOJ and FBI regarding the appropriateness of pursuing the case, with some officials expressing concerns that the criteria for a federal threats case may not have been met. Reports indicate that two counterterrorism chiefs were reassigned amid complaints about the investigation's pace.</p><p>Michael Burgwald, the FBI’s Washington Field Office counterterrorism chief, and his deputy were removed from their positions after pushing back on the investigation, arguing it was outside their jurisdiction. Their reassignment occurred shortly before FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey resigned, reportedly in disagreement with the decision to demote the agents involved.</p><p>Katie Miller expressed gratitude towards Attorney General Todd Blanche, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office after Proia was charged, stating, "Good to see a Boston grand jury indict this man." Proia was arrested and subsequently released after appearing in federal court.</p>