Dallas — A 21-year-old Texas man who authorities say provided bomb-making materials and money to people believed to belong to the Islamic State group has been indicted on federal charges of international terrorism, the US Department of Justice announced Monday.
John Michael Garza Jr., of Midlothian, Texas, is accused of giving bomb-making materials to an undercover federal agent believed to be an “ISIS brother,” the Justice Department said, using a different acronym for the Islamic State.
No attorney for Garza was listed in court records, and the federal public defender’s office in Dallas did not immediately respond to phone messages seeking comment. If convicted, Garza could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Authorities said the December 22 operation came after an undercover New York City Police Department employee found a social media account belonging to Garza that followed several accounts supporting the Islamic State.
The New Yorker began corresponding with Garza in October, and the Justice Department said Garza soon shared that he “affiliated with ISIS ideology.” Garza was accused of sending small amounts of cryptocurrencies to the undercover employee in November and December, believing his money was supporting ISIS.
During the meeting on December 22, investigators said Garza described to an undercover FBI agent how to mix the explosives he provided and offered to share an instructional video on making bombs. Garza was arrested shortly after leaving the meeting.
“Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to counterterrorism and demonstrates our continued work to obstruct and thwart terrorist plots against the American public,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “Let this serve as a warning to those who plan attacks against the United States on behalf of terrorist organizations – you will be brought to justice.”
Garza had an initial court appearance on December 23 in the US District Court for North Texas. Federal prosecutors are expected to present their evidence against him at a probable cause hearing and arrest on Tuesday.