DALLAS (AP) - A 21-year-old man from Midlothian, Texas, named John Michael Garza Jr. has been federally charged with international terrorism for allegedly providing bomb-making materials and financial support to individuals he believed were in affiliation with the Islamic State group. The U.S. Department of Justice announced these charges on Monday, highlighting the serious nature of Garza's actions amid ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.
According to the Justice Department, Garza is accused of supplying bomb-making materials to an undercover federal agent who he mistakenly thought was an "ISIS brother." This operation is indicative of the broader measures law enforcement agencies are undertaking to track and neutralize threats related to domestic and international terrorism.
No attorney was listed for Garza in the court records, and the federal public defender's office in Dallas did not provide immediate comments when contacted. If convicted, Garza faces a significant potential sentence, possibly up to 20 years in federal prison, reflecting the gravity with which such terrorism-related charges are viewed by the judicial system.
The investigation into Garza commenced after an undercover employee from the New York City Police Department discovered a social media account belonging to him that was linked to several accounts supporting the Islamic State group. This led to a series of communications between the undercover employee and Garza starting in October, during which Garza expressed his allegiance to ISIS ideology and discussed impactful involvement in terrorist activities.
Authorities reported that Garza transferred small amounts of cryptocurrency to the undercover employee in November and December, which he believed was contributing monetarily to the Islamic State group’s efforts. This exchange raises questions about the methods contemporary terrorist organizations utilize for fundraising and recruitment, especially through digital currency.
On December 22, the undercover operation culminated in a meeting where Garza met with an undercover FBI agent. During this interaction, he allegedly explained the process of mixing explosives and even offered to share a video demonstrating bomb-making techniques. His arrest followed shortly thereafter, illustrating the meticulous planning and execution by law enforcement to prevent potential acts of terror.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the agency's unwavering commitment to counter-terrorism operations, stating, “Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to combating terrorism and demonstrates our continuous work to disrupt and thwart terrorist plots against the American public. Let this serve as a warning to those who plan to conduct attacks against the United States on behalf of terrorist organizations - you will be brought to justice.”
Garza had his initial court appearance on December 23 in the U.S. District Court for Northern Texas. Federal prosecutors are preparing to present their case against him at a probable cause and detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, marking a critical step in the judicial process as the investigation unfolds.
