Brian Thomas Balda, 52, of Oregon, has been sentenced to 39 months in prison for cyberstalking and interstate stalking. The sentencing took place on September 4 before United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez. After a four-day trial in June 2025, a federal jury found Balda guilty of both charges.
According to court documents, between 2023 and 2024, Balda conducted a campaign targeting a former United States government official. For about ten months, he sent the victim abusive and profane text messages and voicemails. Balda later traveled from Oregon to Arizona with the intent to confront the victim. Law enforcement arrested him near the victim’s residence and discovered four knives, binoculars, and a replica handgun in his vehicle at the time of arrest.
The investigation was led by the FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office, with assistance from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the University of Arizona Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona prosecuted the case.
“On June 13, 2025, a federal jury found Balda guilty of one count of Cyberstalking and one count of Interstate Stalking following a four-day trial,” according to information released by authorities.
