Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
A Chicago man was sentenced on April 22 for using Facebook to threaten, intimidate, and harass two women living in Tulsa, according to U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address online harassment and hate crimes targeting individuals based on race and gender. Such actions are part of broader initiatives to improve community safety through the enforcement of federal laws.
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 for cyberstalking and two counts of interstate communication of threat to injure. The court applied a hate crime sentencing enhancement after determining that Garza selected one victim because of her race and gender, and the other because of her gender.
According to court documents, in June 2024 Garza used more than 18 alias accounts on Facebook to send threatening messages to several individuals. Two unrelated victims from Tulsa were identified among those targeted. Both reported receiving derogatory, hateful, and threatening messages involving racial comments about interracial relationships as well as threats of sexual violence. Investigators also found that Garza discussed his radical views with others online and expressed a 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 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 Department of Justice as outlined online and covers 11 counties in northeastern Oklahoma including Tulsa County according to its official website. It employs over 65 Assistant United States Attorneys who collaborate with law enforcement agencies across these counties according to information provided.
