Arizona jury convicts ‘cyberstalker’ who harassed former government official

TUCSON, Ariz. — A federal jury has convicted an Oregon man of harassing and stalking a former U.S. government official in Arizona.

Brian Balda, 52, was arrested after traveling to Arizona, where he planned to confront the person he’d been sending profane messages and voicemails for months. Law enforcement arrested Balda near the victim’s residence and reported findings four knives, binoculars and a replica gun in Balda’s car, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Arizona.

Court records show the victim started receiving odd messages in early 2023 that the Tucson resident initially ignored. But the messages proceeded to frighten and concern the individual. 

“…I think you should pay for what you did,” one of the messages reportedly stated.

By February 2024, the victim received a voicemail from someone claiming to be Balda who indicated they were in Arizona and told the victim “you and I need to have a chat,” court records show.

Prosecutors said the jury convicted Balda of cyberstalking and interstate stalking following a four-day trial in Arizona. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4.

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