Jury Finds Oregon Man Guilty of Stalking

TUCSON, Ariz. – On June 13, 2025, a federal jury found Brian Thomas Balda, 52, of Oregon, guilty of one count of Cyberstalking and one count of Interstate Stalking. The guilty verdict followed a four-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Angela M. Martinez. A conviction for Cyberstalking and Interstate Stalking each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and not more than three years supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for September 4, 2025.

In 2023 and 2024, Balda engaged in a campaign to intimidate and harass a former United States government official. For approximately ten months, Balda sent abusive and profane text messages and voicemails to the victim. Balda ultimately drove from Oregon to Arizona to confront the victim, and was arrested by law enforcement near the victim’s home. Four knives, binoculars, and a replica handgun were found in Balda’s car at the time of his arrest. 

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.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-24-1182-TUC-AMM-MAA
RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-103_Balda

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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