Overview
- U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian McKay ordered John Michael Garza Jr., 21, detained following a detention and preliminary hearing in Dallas, finding no release conditions would mitigate the risk.
- Garza is charged by federal complaint with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
- Prosecutors say he met an undercover FBI agent on Dec. 22, handed over explosive precursors, described mixing the components with nails for shrapnel, offered an instructional video, and was arrested shortly after leaving.
- The case began in mid-October when an NYPD undercover identified a social media account later linked to Garza that followed pro-ISIS content; he allegedly shared official ISIS media and expressed support for the ideology.
- Investigators allege he sent small cryptocurrency payments in November and December believing they would support ISIS purchases, in a probe involving FBI Dallas, the NYPD, the FBI’s New York Field Office, and local Texas police.