An Oregon man has been handed a sentence of 39 months in prison after being found guilty of cyberstalking and interstate stalking, following his harassment campaign against a former U.S. government official. This announcement comes from a report released by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona. Brian Thomas Balda, 52, faced trial and was convicted by a federal jury on June 13, and U.S. District Judge Angela M. Martinez ordered that after serving his prison term, Balda will also be under supervised release for a further 36 months.
Between 2023 and 2024 Balda launched a ten-month enduring barrage of abusive text messages and voicemails aimed at his victim, not content with the digital terror he wrought, he journeyed from Oregon to Arizona with the clear intent to escalate his campaign to a physical confrontation, and law enforcement officials arrested him in proximity to the victim's residence in Arizona, found within his vehicle were four knives, binoculars, and what turned out to be a replica handgun. The investigation of this case was a collaborative effort headed by the FBI's Phoenix Division, Tucson office, along with valuable assistance from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the University of Arizona Police Department.
The Justice Department stated that while social media platforms and digital communication connect people, they can also be used to spread threats and intimidation. Officials emphasized that law enforcement agencies remain committed to ensuring safety and security regardless of whether threats occur online or in person. The case is officially cited as CR-24-1182-TUC-AMM, with further details available under release number 2025-145_Balda on the U.S. Attorney's Office website.
