Oregon Man Jailed for 39 Months Over Cyberstalking Scare Campaign

TUCSON, Ariz. – The grim halls of justice were once again filled with the sound of justice being served as Brian Thomas Balda, a 52-year-old from Oregon, was handed a 39-month prison sentence by United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez for his heinous cyberstalking campaign.

Balda’s reign of terror began in 2023, when he embarked on a relentless quest to intimidate and harass a former U.S. government official. For nearly ten months, the Oregon man unleashed a flood of abusive and profane text messages and voicemails upon his victim, driving them to near-breaking point.

But Balda’s harassment did not end with digital terror; he went so far as to travel from Oregon to Arizona, armed with four knives, binoculars, and a replica handgun. His intent was clear: to confront the former official face-to-face. However, his plans were thwarted when law enforcement arrested him near the victim’s home.

The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office played a crucial role in this investigation, collaborating with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the University of Arizona Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, led the prosecution.

Balda was ultimately found guilty of one count of Cyberstalking and one count of Interstate Stalking after a grueling four-day trial that concluded on June 13, 2025. In addition to his prison term, Balda will be under supervised release for another 36 months.

The case number CR-24-1182-TUC-AMM and the release number 2025-145_Balda stand as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to in their quest for power over others. For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Stay informed and follow the office on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

RELATED: Keizer Drug Kingpin Jailed for Fentanyl, Meth Traffic

RELATED: Oregon Man Jailed for Child Porn Distribution in Louisiana