Texas man charged with allegedly providing material support to ISIS
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A Texas man has been charged in federal court after trying to provide material support to ISIS through an undercover agent, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
John Michael Garza Jr., 21, of Midlothian, Texas, was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, FBI Director Kash Patel said Garza “has taken concrete steps towards violent jihad and fundraising for terrorists.” [and] building explosive components.”
“The FBI detected the threat early, pursued it aggressively, and shut it down before anyone was harmed,” Patel said. “It is our duty to keep Americans safe, and we do it every day.”
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A Texas man has been charged with allegedly trying to provide material support to ISIS through an undercover agent, federal prosecutors said. (Images from History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Garza brought bomb-making materials to a Dec. 22 meeting with an undercover agent posing as an “ISIS brother,” according to the Justice Department.
“During the meeting, Garza explained how to mix the components and offered to send an instructional video explaining how to make the bomb,” the Justice Department said. he said. “Law enforcement arrested Garza shortly after leaving the meeting.”
The Justice Department also said Garza paid the undercover agent small amounts of cryptocurrency “believing he was supporting ISIS causes, including the purchase of firearms and other supplies.”
Garza was flagged by authorities after a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer noticed he was following pro-ISIS accounts, including posting a comment on a pro-ISIS post.
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The Justice Department said the suspect offered to explain how to mix explosive ingredients and provide training materials. (Drew Angerer)
“When the NYPD undercover officer interviewed Garza on social media, Garza identified himself as a 21-year-old Mexican-American living in Texas,” the Justice Department said.
“In conversations that continued throughout November and December, Garza shared that he ascribed to ISIS ideology and sent numerous secret official ISIS media releases.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the case “a testament to the incredible work of our federal agents who work tirelessly to save American lives.”
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The Justice Department said the suspect was accused of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
“ISIS’ poisonous ideology must be uprooted; anyone who tries to commit violence in the name of ISIS will be found, arrested and prosecuted,” he said. “You can’t hide from us.”
