Texas Man Attempted to Aid ISIS in Undercover Operation

A Texas resident allegedly tried to supply bomb-making materials to someone posing as an ISIS member, according to authorities who revealed details on Monday. This incident unfolded during an undercover investigation by the New York City police.

John Michael Garza Jr., a 21-year-old, reportedly brought these materials to a meeting with undercover agents masquerading as ISIS “brothers” just last Monday, as stated by the U.S. Department of Justice.

During that meeting, Garza shared methods for mixing explosive ingredients and even suggested he could provide an instructional video on creating explosives.

The investigation into Garza began around mid-October when an undercover officer from the NYPD found a social media account linked to him, which was following several pro-ISIS accounts and expressing support for the group.

Upon reaching out, the undercover officer, using a profile believed to belong to Garza, discovered he identified himself as a Mexican-American from Texas.

In conversations that followed, Garza reportedly expressed his strong commitment to ISIS’s ideology, forwarding numerous official media releases from the organization to the undercover agent.

Some of these materials included graphic images of explosions, masked individuals, and a bomb-making tutorial led by ISIS members in gloves, as disclosed by federal officials.

In November and December, Garza made small virtual currency payments to the undercover officer, mistakenly thinking he was funding ISIS operations by acquiring firearms and other resources.

He shared his intentions to procure materials for explosives, planning to meet another supposed ISIS supporter, who was actually another undercover agent, shortly before his arrest on December 22.

Garza now faces federal charges for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented on the case, praising the diligent work of federal agency employees in safeguarding American lives. She emphasized the importance of uprooting ISIS’s harmful ideology and made it clear that individuals seeking to commit violence on its behalf would be pursued.

The investigation involved collaboration between the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the NYPD, with support from various local police departments.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch also spoke on the issue, underlining the persistent threat of terrorism and reaffirming the department’s commitment to disrupting such networks before they can execute their violent plans.

Garza appeared in court on December 23 and has a hearing scheduled regarding probable cause and detention soon.

If found guilty, he could face a lengthy prison sentence of up to 20 years.

FBI Director Kash Patel reiterated the agency’s dedication to combatting terrorism and warned potential attackers that they would be held accountable for their actions.