MIDLOTHIAN, Texas — A 21-year-old North Texas man has been federally charged with an international terrorism offense after a months-long investigation revealed he was allegedly funnelling cash and explosive components to individuals he believed were members of ISIS.
John Michael Garza Jr., of Midlothian, was arrested on December 22, 2025, following a meeting with an undercover FBI agent. On December 29, the Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed a criminal complaint charging Garza with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
The Digital Trail: From Social Media to Cryptocurrencies
The investigation into Garza began in mid-October 2025, when an undercover New York City Police Department (NYPD) employee flagged a social media account that followed multiple pro-ISIS channels.
- Radicalization: Garza allegedly used social media to engage with extremist content and eventually described himself to undercover agents as a “Mexican-American supporting ISIS ideology.”
- Propaganda & Funding: Throughout November and December, Garza allegedly sent the undercover agent official ISIS media, including videos of suicide bombings. He also utilized cryptocurrency to send small sums of money, believing the funds would buy firearms and support terrorist missions.
- Instructional Materials: Authorities state Garza shared graphics and videos detailing how to assemble shrapnel-laden explosives.
The Sting: A Meeting with “The Brother”
The plot reached its tipping point in late December when Garza expressed a desire to supply physical materials for a terrorist attack.
- Preparation: Garza told an undercover agent he would purchase ingredients for explosives and agreed to meet another “brother” in person.
- The Handover: At a meeting on December 22, Garza allegedly handed over several bomb-making components to an undercover FBI agent.
- The Assembly: During the exchange, Garza reportedly explained how to mix the chemicals and suggested surrounding the final device with nails to increase its lethality.
National Security & Law Enforcement Reactions
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas emphasized the gravity of the threat, stating, “The increasing threats of harm and destruction in our country made by those aligned with violent ideologies must be stopped.”
FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pamela Bondi both issued statements praising the coordination between the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the NYPD. They noted that Garza was apprehended “quickly” once the intent to provide physical bomb components became clear.
| Case Detail | Information |
| Defendant | John Michael Garza Jr. (21) |
| Charge | Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization |
| Arrest Date | December 22, 2025 |
| Maximum Penalty | 20 Years Imprisonment |
| Agencies Involved | FBI, NYPD, Midlothian PD, Dallas PD |
Next Steps
Garza made his initial court appearance on December 23. A detention hearing took place on December 30, 2025, in the Northern District of Texas. While the investigation remains ongoing, federal officials have stressed that there is no currently known ongoing threat to the local community related to this specific case.
