Brian Thomas Balda, a 52-year-old resident of Oregon, was sentenced to 39 months in prison and three years of supervised release after being convicted of cyberstalking and interstate stalking. The sentencing took place on September 4 before United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez in Tucson, Arizona.
Balda was found guilty by a federal jury on June 13, following a four-day trial. According to court records, he engaged in a campaign from 2023 to 2024 aimed at intimidating and harassing a former United States government official. Over approximately ten months, Balda sent the victim abusive and profane text messages and voicemails.
The harassment escalated when Balda traveled from Oregon to Arizona with the intent to confront the victim. Law enforcement arrested him near the victim’s residence. Authorities discovered four knives, binoculars, and a replica handgun in his vehicle at the time of arrest.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office led the investigation with support from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the University of Arizona Police Department. The prosecution was handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
“The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office investigated this matter, with the assistance of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the University of Arizona Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.”
