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Oregon man found guilty in Arizona government official stalking case

Looking at a gavel on the judge's bench into the courtroom
Getty Images

An Oregon man has been found guilty of stalking a former government official in Tucson.

After a four-day trial, a federal jury found Brian Thomas Balda guilty on one count each of cyberstalking and interstate stalking.

Prosecutors said Balda intimidated and harassed an unidentified U.S. government official for nearly a year.

They said he sent abusive text messages and voicemails to his victim. And then drove from Oregon to Arizona to confront the person before he was arrested near the victim’s home. They said four knives, binoculars and a replica handgun were in his car.

Balda faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced in September.

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Michel Marizco was senior editor of KJZZ's Fronteras Desk from 2016 to 2025.