Oakdale man gets 10 years for threatening LDS church members after years-long case
An Oakdale man who repeatedly threatened members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over several years will spend up to 10 years in a state hospital after resolution of a criminal case prosecutors said stemmed from a pattern of escalating behavior.
Teancum Oscar Garza, 45, who’s from a Mormon family, pleaded no contest June 11 to a felony charge of making criminal threats. He admitted to a hate-crime enhancement as part of a plea deal in Stanislaus County Superior Court.
Judge Ruben Villalobos sentenced Garza to 10 years in state prison and recommended that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation place him where he can receive treatment through the Department of State Hospitals.
The plea brought to a close a case that remained in court for nearly three years and included extensive litigation over Garza’s mental health, including an unsuccessful request for mental health diversion and multiple court-ordered psychiatric evaluations.
The case followed a series of police responses in Oakdale and Modesto between 2020 and 2023 involving Garza and members of local Latter-day Saint congregations.
Escalating encounters
According to court records, the first documented incident occurred in November 2020, when Oakdale police were notified after Garza wrote with crayon on the exterior of an Oakdale church building, saying he was attempting to perform an exorcism.
Officers found crayon markings on church doors and windows. Garza reportedly told police he targeted the church because of religious beliefs. Investigators initially considered the incident a potential hate crime while awaiting a decision from church leaders about whether to pursue charges.
The encounters continued in May 2021 at a Modesto congregation. According to court records, Garza entered the church during Sunday services after using a crayon to draw a pentagram on a door’s window.
Court records say church members told officers Garza had become increasingly aggressive over time. One church leader said Garza threatened to kill him and his family. The man said he was afraid because Garza knew where they lived.
Legal process ends
Deputy District Attorney Zynal Aziz, who prosecuted the case, said the resolution reflected an effort to ensure public safety and provide mental health treatment for Garza. “We were trying to balance public safety with the understanding that it’s meaningful, that he’s not just going to be in prison without receiving services,” Aziz told The Bee.
One of the central issues in the case became whether Garza met the legal standard for a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Aziz said three mental health experts evaluated Garza. “One doctor said that he was insane. The other two said he was sane,” Aziz said.
Because two of the three evaluators concluded Garza was legally sane at the time of the offenses, the case ultimately resolved through a negotiated plea rather than an insanity finding, he said.
Church says focus was always on treatment
Church leaders who followed the case said they also supported an outcome focused on treatment and accountability.
A counselor of the Oakdale Stake presidency of The LDS Church who worked with church leaders throughout the case and asked not to be identified because of ongoing safety concerns, said congregation members never viewed the case as simply seeking punishment.
“All we’ve ever wanted was for him to be able to get the kind of help that he needs to be able to function in society,” the church leader said.
He described the Garza family as “one of the most respected, honorable families” in the congregation and said members continued to care about them throughout the criminal proceedings.
“There’s no ill will among members — nothing but love for this family,” he said.
The church leader said members experienced fear while the incidents were occurring but said the congregation has since moved forward.
“We’re really grateful for the outcome because it looks so favorable for Teancum and for the help that he’s going to be able to get,” he said. “We just want the best for him, and that’s all we’ve ever wanted.”
Court records show prosecutors originally charged Garza with multiple felony counts related to threats made against members of the Oakdale congregation. During the course of the case, the defense sought mental health diversion, arguing Garza suffered from serious mental illness. After the court denied that request, the case proceeded through additional psychiatric evaluations before the parties reached the negotiated disposition.
Defense attorney Eugene Action declined to comment on the resolution. Members of Garza’s family either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
This story was originally published July 2, 2026 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Oakdale man gets 10 years for threatening LDS church members after years-long case."
