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Federal prosecutors on Monday charged a 21-year-old Texas man with an international terrorism offense, accusing him of attempting to provide bomb-making materials and financial support to what he believed was the Islamic State, according to court documents and law enforcement officials.
The defendant, John Michael Garza Jr. of Midlothian, Texas, was charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Prosecutors say Garza brought explosive components to a meeting on Dec. 22 and handed them to an individual he believed was an ISIS supporter. That person was, in fact, an undercover FBI agent.
Photo of masked individual and another man standing in a gated area.{ }(PHOTO: United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas)
According to the complaint, Garza explained how to assemble the materials into an explosive device and offered to send an instructional video detailing how to build a bomb. He was arrested shortly after leaving the meeting.
The case, announced by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould, was the result of a joint investigation involving the F.B.I. and the New York Police Department, underscoring what officials described as continuing concerns about online radicalization and lone actors inspired by extremist ideology.
“This operation highlights the necessity of vigilant observation and swift action to halt what could have been a devastating outcome,” said Raybould.
The investigation began in mid-October, according to the complaint, when an undercover New York City Police Department employee identified a social media account that followed several pro-ISIS pages and posted comments endorsing the group. The account was later linked to Garza.
In online conversations that continued through November and December, prosecutors say Garza openly expressed support for ISIS, shared official propaganda releases and sent small amounts of cryptocurrency to the undercover officer, believing the funds would be used to support the group’s activities, including the purchase of weapons.
Authorities said Garza also shared graphic videos depicting suicide bombings and instructional material related to explosives. As the conversations progressed, he allegedly told the undercover officer that he planned to purchase materials to construct an explosive device himself.
Photo of explosion in part of a building. (PHOTO:{ }United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas)
“The FBI worked alongside our law enforcement partners to quickly arrest an individual who intended to provide bomb making materials to a foreign terrorist organization,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Protecting the Homeland is a top priority for the FBI. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our communities from terrorism.”
At the Dec. 22 meeting, prosecutors say Garza handed over bomb components and described how to combine them with nails to increase their lethality. He was taken into custody by federal agents shortly thereafter.
Garza made his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge on Dec. 23. A detention and probable cause hearing is scheduled for today. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The defendant, John Michael Garza Jr. of Midlothian, Texas, was charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Prosecutors say Garza brought explosive components to a meeting on Dec. 22 and handed them to an individual he believed was an ISIS supporter. That person was, in fact, an undercover FBI agent.
Photo of masked individual and another man standing in a gated area.{ }(PHOTO: United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas)
According to the complaint, Garza explained how to assemble the materials into an explosive device and offered to send an instructional video detailing how to build a bomb. He was arrested shortly after leaving the meeting.
The case, announced by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould, was the result of a joint investigation involving the F.B.I. and the New York Police Department, underscoring what officials described as continuing concerns about online radicalization and lone actors inspired by extremist ideology.
“This operation highlights the necessity of vigilant observation and swift action to halt what could have been a devastating outcome,” said Raybould.
The investigation began in mid-October, according to the complaint, when an undercover New York City Police Department employee identified a social media account that followed several pro-ISIS pages and posted comments endorsing the group. The account was later linked to Garza.
In online conversations that continued through November and December, prosecutors say Garza openly expressed support for ISIS, shared official propaganda releases and sent small amounts of cryptocurrency to the undercover officer, believing the funds would be used to support the group’s activities, including the purchase of weapons.
Authorities said Garza also shared graphic videos depicting suicide bombings and instructional material related to explosives. As the conversations progressed, he allegedly told the undercover officer that he planned to purchase materials to construct an explosive device himself.
Photo of explosion in part of a building. (PHOTO:{ }United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas)
“The FBI worked alongside our law enforcement partners to quickly arrest an individual who intended to provide bomb making materials to a foreign terrorist organization,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Protecting the Homeland is a top priority for the FBI. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our communities from terrorism.”
At the Dec. 22 meeting, prosecutors say Garza handed over bomb components and described how to combine them with nails to increase their lethality. He was taken into custody by federal agents shortly thereafter.
Garza made his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge on Dec. 23. A detention and probable cause hearing is scheduled for today. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
