A North Texas man accused of sympathizing with ISIS, sending money and meeting with undercover FBI agents posing as terrorists will remain in federal custody for now.
John Garza Jr., 21, appeared Tuesday afternoon before Brian McKay, a U.S. magistrate judge, for a hearing to determine probable cause and detention.
The Midlothian resident faces federal charges for providing bomb-making components to what he believed was a foreign terrorist group, according to federal prosecutors.
Garza’s defense attorney argued in court that her client is neither a terrorist nor a terrorist sympathizer. She described Garza as a hardworking 21-year-old who was a special education student throughout school, has Tourette syndrome and was simply curious online before being “pulled in” by a persistent undercover FBI agent.
Prosecutors argued Garza knew exactly what he was doing and had several opportunities to back out but did not. Instead, they said, he took the initiative to send money and shared bomb-making materials and instructions.
Garza’s father, mother, sisters and a neighbor attended the hearing.
His mother was admonished by a bailiff and an investigator and instructed to act appropriately and watch what she said in the courtroom.
The family initially agreed to speak publicly on their son’s behalf but declined following the hearing.
A longtime neighbor, Carol Rogers, later spoke with NBC 5.
Asked about the serious accusations against the man she has known since childhood, Rogers said she believes they are unfounded.
“I believe this young man has just been messing around on the internet and just I believe that he is just doing things out of curiosity and his character does not match what they’re saying about him in this courtroom,” Rogers said.
According to court records, the investigation began about two months ago when an undercover FBI agent in New York monitored an ISIS propaganda Instagram account and flagged Garza after he posted emojis in the comment section of an ISIS video.
The undercover agent contacted an account allegedly belonging to Garza, and the two exchanged hundreds of messages on WhatsApp, a messaging app that allows users to make calls and send text, voice and video messages.
Garza is accused of voluntarily sending bitcoin payments on two occasions to support people he believed were ISIS fighters in Iraq, whom he referred to as his “brothers.” Prosecutors said bank records confirmed two $20 payments.
The government also alleges Garza purchased a vehicle and expressed a desire to pack it with explosives to kill as many police officers as possible in honor of Allah.
According to prosecutors, Garza also claimed he built a detonator at home. Investigators later recovered one during a search of his father’s Midlothian house.
The undercover agent in New York then asked Garza whether he would provide materials to a “brother” in Texas, according to court records.
The investigation culminated shortly before Christmas, when Garza allegedly met with another undercover FBI agent at a local park.
Prosecutors say Garza obtained bomb-making materials, including sulfuric acid purchased at a local Walmart, and handed them to the agent during the meeting.
The government further alleges Garza instructed the agent on how to mix sulfuric acid, acetone and hydrogen peroxide based on a video he had watched on YouTube.
The hearing included testimony from one witness, an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force officer involved in the investigation. The officer was cross-examined about his experience and knowledge of foreign terrorist groups and supporters of the Islamic State.
Judge McKay ruled prosecutors met their burden for probable cause and ordered Garza to remain in custody. The judge agreed with the government’s argument that Garza poses a danger to the community if released because the alleged bomb-making materials are readily accessible to him at home or work.
Garza’s attorney told the judge she plans to request a mental evaluation of her client.
Garza did not display any verbal outbursts associated with Tourette syndrome during the hearing but appeared to twitch at times.
Federal agents escorted Garza out of the courtroom following the ruling.