A Chicago man was sentenced on April 22 for using Facebook to threaten and harass two women in Tulsa, according to U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced John Gregory Garza, age 25, to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after finding him guilty of cyberstalking and two counts of interstate communication of threat to injure. The court applied a hate crime sentencing enhancement, determining that Garza targeted one victim because of her race and gender and the other because of her gender.
Court documents state that in June 2024, Garza used more than 18 alias accounts on Facebook to send threatening messages to several individuals. Two unrelated victims from Tulsa reported the hateful and threatening messages both to Facebook and law enforcement. Investigators found that Garza posted racial comments about interracial relationships as well as sexual violence directed at his victims and others. Further examination revealed he had also messaged others about radical views and intentions related to mass violence.
Garza will remain in custody until he is transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI investigated the case while Trial Attorney Taylor Payne from the Civil Rights Division prosecuted it alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Hulguaard.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma contributes to community safety through its enforcement efforts according to its official website. The office is part of the U.S. Department of Justice as outlined online and employs more than 65 Assistant United States Attorneys according to its website. Covering eleven counties including Tulsa County, it enforces federal laws through impartial litigation and strategic partnerships as noted by officials.
