Chicago Man Sentenced After Sending Racial and Violent Sexual Threats to Women in Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. - A Chicago, Illinois, man was sentenced for using Facebook to racially threaten, intimidate, and harass two women living in Tulsa, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced John Gregory Garza, 25, for Cyberstalking and two counts of Interstate Communication of Threat to Injure. Judge Russell ordered Garza to serve 46 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. The Court applied a hate crime sentencing enhancement after it found Garza selected one victim because of race and gender, and the other victim because of gender.

Court documents show that in June 2024, Garza used more than 18 alias accounts on Facebook to send threatening messages to numerous individuals. Two unrelated victims that lived in Tulsa were identified in Garza's messaging. Both victims reported the derogatory, hateful, and threatening messages to Facebook and law enforcement. The investigation revealed that Garza posted racial comments about interracial relationships and acts of sexual violence towards his victims and others. After a further review of Garza's Facebook accounts, agents found that he messaged with others about his radical views and desire to commit acts of mass violence.

Garza will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorney Taylor Payne of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Hulguaard.