Oregon man sentenced to 3.25 years in prison for stalking former US government official in Arizona

PHOENIX — An Oregon man who cyberstalked and tried to physically confront a former U.S. government official in Arizona has been sentenced to 3.25 years in prison, authorities announced Monday.

Last Thursday, a judge sentenced 52-year-old Brian Thomas Balda to 39 months in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

He was found guilty of one count of one count of cyberstalking and one count of interstate stalking on June 13 for harassing the official between 2023 and 2024.

Details of Oregon man sentenced for cyberstalking Arizona official

Balda was sentenced for launching an intimidation campaign that lasted around eight months, during which he sent abusive, profane voicemails and text messages to the victim.

His behavior escalated, and he drove from Oregon to Arizona to confront the victim, prosecutors said.

However, law enforcement apprehended Balda near the victim’s home before he could engage in a physical altercation.

Authorities found four knives, binoculars and a replica handgun in Balda’s car during his arrest.

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