Overview
- Federal prosecutors charged John Michael Garza Jr., 21, of Midlothian, Texas, with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
- According to the complaint, he met an undercover FBI agent on Dec. 22, delivered acetone, hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid, and explained how to combine the chemicals before being arrested after the meeting.
- Investigators say he offered an instructional bomb-building video and discussed packing a device with nails to create shrapnel.
- The inquiry began in October when an undercover NYPD employee flagged a pro-ISIS social media account linked to Garza, who later sent small cryptocurrency transfers he believed would fund ISIS activities.
- A magistrate judge ordered Garza held pending trial; the Northern District of Texas is prosecuting the joint FBI–NYPD case, and he faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.