A Midlothian man has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization after bringing bomb-making materials to an individual he believed belonged to ISIS, authorities said.

John Michael Garza Jr. was charged in a federal international terrorism complaint, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould.

According to the complaint, Garza brought bomb-making components to a meeting on December 22, but it was all part of an FBI sting operation.

“In reality, Garza met with an undercover FBI agent,” a press release details. “During the meeting, Garza explained how to mix the components and offered to send an instructional video explaining how to build the bomb.” Garza was arrested after leaving the meeting.

It all started in October, according to federal authorities, when an undercover New York City police officer detected a social media account, later determined to belong to Garza, following several pro-ISIS accounts. When the New York employee contacted Garza, he described himself as a 21-year-old Mexican-American living in Texas.

Online Activity Reveals ISIS Ideology

As the undercover agent in New York and Garza continued chatting online, Garza shared that he had embraced ISIS ideology and even sent small amounts of cryptocurrency, believing he was supporting ISIS causes.

Garza sent the undercover office multiple official ISIS press releases, federal officials reported, and paid small amounts of cryptocurrency in November and December 2025, believing he was supporting ISIS causes, including the purchase of firearms and other materials, according to the Department of Justice.

“This case is a testament to the incredible work of our federal agents, who work tirelessly to save American lives,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.“The toxic ideology of ISIS must be eradicated at its root: anyone who attempts to commit violent acts in the name of ISIS will be found, arrested, and prosecuted. They cannot hide from us,” he added. “Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to combating terrorism and demonstrates our continued work to disrupt and thwart terrorist plots against the American public,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Let this serve as a warning to those who plan to carry out attacks against the United States in the name of terrorist organizations: they will be brought to justice.” New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch thanked the undercover investigators in her department for their work. “Today’s charges illustrate that the threats of terrorism and extremist violence against our nation remain very real,” Tisch said. “The New York Police Department (NYPD) remains committed to identifying, dismantling, and disrupting these networks at their source, before they can achieve their murderous goals. Anyone who endangers the lives of Americans will face justice and be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”