A 21-year-old from Midlothian, Texas has been hit with a federal terrorism charge after allegedly handing over bomb-making materials and money to someone he thought was working for ISIS - only to find out it was an undercover agent.
John Michael Garza, Jr. was arrested shortly after a December 22 meeting, where officials say he provided explosive components and explained how to build a bomb, per the Department of Justice.
Prosecutors claim Garza believed he was helping an ISIS "brother" but was instead dealing with law enforcement.
Garza also allegedly promised to send a how-to video and explained how to pack the device with nails for maximum damage.
Officials praise law enforcement’s fast action
Attorney General Pamela Bondi didn’t mince words.
“This case is a testament to the incredible work of our federal agents, who work tirelessly to save American lives,” she said.
“ISIS’s poisonous ideology must be ripped out root and stem - anyone who tries to commit violence on ISIS’s behalf will be found, arrested, and prosecuted. You cannot hide from us.”
FBI Director Kash Patel added: “Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to combatting 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.”
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas echoed that message.
“The increasing threats of harm and destruction in our country made by those aligned with violent ideologies must be stopped,” he said.
“An alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism.
This operation is but one example highlighting the necessity of vigilant observation and swift action to halt what could have been a devastating outcome.
"Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to take prompt action against those attempting to carry out alleged terrorist missions.”
Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of FBI Dallas said: “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. Protecting the Homeland is a top priority for the FBI.
"This arrest demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our communities from terrorism.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch also praised the efforts of law enforcement: “Today’s charges illustrate that the threats of terrorism and extremist violence against our nation are still very real.
"The NYPD remains committed to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling these networks at their source - before they can reach their murderous ends.
"And any person who puts American lives at risk will face justice and be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
"I want to thank our undercover investigators in the NYPD, as well as our law enforcement partners in the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for their exceptional work on this case.”
Social media posts and cryptocurrency raised red flags
According to court documents, the investigation began in mid-October when an NYPD undercover agent spotted a suspicious account on social media.
That account, later identified as Garza’s, followed numerous pro-ISIS profiles and commented on a jihadist post.
The undercover began communicating with Garza, who reportedly described himself as a 21-year-old Mexican-American living in Texas.
Over several weeks, Garza allegedly shared pro-ISIS content, sent official media releases from the terrorist organization, and even paid small amounts of cryptocurrency to the undercover, believing it would be used for weapons and materials.
Among the materials shared was a video showing a suicide vehicle bombing.
Garza allegedly later detailed his plan to obtain and deliver bomb ingredients.
When he met the undercover agent on December 22, he not only delivered the materials but also described how to assemble the device and suggested surrounding it with nails.
He then offered to provide a tutorial video.
Garza was arrested shortly after leaving the meeting and appeared in court the next day.
Garza was formally charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
His detention hearing is set for December 30.
The investigation was led by the FBI's Dallas Field Office and the NYPD, with support from the FBI's New York Field Office and several local Texas police departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Madeleine Case and DOJ Trial Attorney David Courchaine are prosecuting the case.