Executive Summary
- John Michael Garza, 21, was arrested in Midlothian, Texas, on federal terrorism charges.
- Court records allege Garza provided bomb-making chemicals to an undercover agent he believed was with ISIS.
- Investigators state Garza expressed a desire to target police and die as a martyr.
- A federal judge ordered Garza held without bond, citing a danger to the community.
Federal authorities have arrested a 21-year-old resident of Midlothian, Texas, on charges of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, following an investigation into alleged plans to manufacture explosives for ISIS. John Michael Garza was taken into custody days before Christmas at the home he shared with his grandfather.
According to federal court records, the arrest involved a significant law enforcement presence. Witnesses in the neighborhood reported that agents deployed a flashbang device during the operation. One neighbor described hearing the noise and seeing the suspect in custody shortly thereafter.
An affidavit filed by an FBI agent outlines that the investigation began in October when Garza started communicating with an undercover New York Police Department employee posing online as an ISIS fighter stationed in Iraq. Investigators allege that during these exchanges, Garza repeatedly shared ISIS propaganda, including a video of a suicide bombing, and expressed a willingness to “die for the cause of Allah.”
The criminal complaint details escalating threats, noting that Garza allegedly discussed building car bombs to target “kuffar” police—a term the affidavit identifies as referring to disbelievers. Court documents state that Garza admitted he had never constructed a bomb but claimed the ingredients were simple to acquire.
On December 22, Garza allegedly met with an undercover informant and delivered specific chemical components intended for explosives, including acetone, hydrogen peroxide, and sulfuric acid. The affidavit further alleges that Garza explained how to mix the materials and offered to provide an instructional video.
Following the arrest, a federal magistrate ordered Garza held without bond pending trial. The judge determined that no conditions of release would reasonably assure the safety of the community, citing evidence that Garza had expressed a desire to kill others and martyr himself over a substantial period.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Context
This case underscores the reliance of federal counter-terrorism efforts on undercover operations to identify domestic individuals expressing alignment with foreign terrorist groups. While the prosecution cites the physical transfer of precursor chemicals as evidence of intent, legal observers suggest the defense may scrutinize the suspect’s actual capacity to carry out an attack. Patrick McLain, a Dallas-based national security attorney not representing Garza, commented that defendants in similar cases often lack formal training and may face mental health challenges, raising questions about whether the suspect was a committed operative or a “wannabe.” It is important to note that all individuals, including John Michael Garza, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
