Oregon Man Sentenced for Ten-Month Cyberstalking Campaign

TUCSON, Ariz. – A federal jury delivered a verdict on June 13, 2025, finding Brian Thomas Balda, 52, of Oregon, guilty of Cyberstalking and Interstate Stalking. The charges stemmed from a relentless ten-month campaign of intimidation and harassment aimed at a former U.S. government official.

Balda faced a four-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Angela M. Martinez. The jury’s decision means Balda could be sentenced to up to five years in prison for each count, along with a fine of $250,000 and a maximum supervised release term of three years.

The investigation into Balda’s behavior began in 2023, when he unleashed a torrent of abusive text messages and voicemails on the victim. His obsession led him to cross state lines, driving from Oregon to Arizona to confront his target face-to-face. Law enforcement officials arrested him near the victim’s home, where they found four knives, binoculars, and a replica handgun in his car.

The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office spearheaded the investigation with support from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the University of Arizona Police Department. The prosecution was handled by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, in Tucson.

Sentencing is set for September 4, 2025. Balda’s case number is CR-24-1182-TUC-AMM-MAA, and the release number is 2025-103_Balda.

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Stay updated with the latest news by following @USAO_AZ on Twitter.

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