A Massachusetts man has been indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly cyberstalking Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, in what the FBI described as a “sustained campaign of harassment.”
John Anthony Proia III, 41, of Waltham, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of cyberstalking, according to NBC Boston.
Prosecutors did not identify Miller by name, describing the alleged victim as a former political adviser and prominent Republican married to a high-level federal government employee.
“But an administration official familiar with the investigation confirmed to NBC News that the victim in the case is former administration official and conservative podcaster Katie Miller,” NBC Boston reported Thursday.
Attorney General Todd Blanche weighed in after the indictment.
“This behavior is criminal and will be treated as it should - with prosecution!” Blanche wrote on social media, praising the FBI’s Boston office for its “great work.”
Miller reposted Blanche’s message and thanked him and Justice Department officials “for keeping me and my family safe.”
The case had already caused upheaval inside the FBI, according to multiple reports. MS NOW’s Ken Dilaniam reported Thursday that it led to the demotion of two senior counterterrorism officials in the bureau’s Washington field office following concerns about their handling of the investigation.
FBI Boston chief Ted Docks accused Proia of engaging in “a sustained campaign of harassment.”
“Terrorizing someone isn’t some sick game, it’s a crime,” Docks said.