‘Out for blood’: Man arrested in plan to bomb Oklahoma bank

Jerry Drake Varnell, of Sayre, Oklahoma, who was arrested Saturday in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb in an alley adjacent to BancFirst in downtown Oklahoma City. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP)

Jerry Drake Varnell, of Sayre, Oklahoma, who was arrested Saturday in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb in an alley adjacent to BancFirst in downtown Oklahoma City. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP)

By Tim Talley / Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — A 23-year-old man who was “out for blood” when attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van outside an Oklahoma bank in a plot similar to the deadly 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building is expected to be formally charged Monday, authorities said.

Federal officials said Jerry Drake Varnell of Sayre, Oklahoma, was arrested early Saturday in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb in an alley adjacent to BancFirst in downtown Oklahoma City. Varnell was scheduled to appear in federal court later Monday on a charge of attempting to use explosives to destroy a building in interstate commerce. Court records do not indicate whether Varnell is represented by an attorney.

A federal complaint filed on Sunday says a confidential informant told the FBI in December that Varnell wanted to blow up a building and “that Varnell was upset with the government and was seeking retaliation.”

Officials said Varnell initially wanted to blow up the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C., with a device similar to one used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more.

In a series of text messages with the FBI’s informant, Varnell “claimed to have a bunker for when the world (or United States) collapsed” and indicated he was trying to build a team, the complaint states.

“I’m out for blood,” the complaint quotes Varnell’s texts. “When militias start getting formed I’m going after government officials when I have a team.”

But an undercover FBI agent posed as someone who could help Varnell build a bomb and the device used was actually inert, authorities said. Varnell’s actions were monitored closely for months as the plot developed.

“There was never a concern that our community’s safety or security was at risk during this investigation,” said Kathryn Peterson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oklahoma.

The undercover agent met face-to-face with him on June 1 to discuss obtaining materials for an ammonium nitrate and fuel oil bomb similar to the one used in the Oklahoma City bombing, the complaint states.

Varnell indicated at the meeting that he had previously made homemade explosives and that he “was of the same mind with people who wanted to use explosives and make a statement,” the complaint says.

“Something needs to be done,” Varnell said, but killing a lot of people was not a good idea, according to the complaint. During text conversations in July, Varnell stated he wanted to conduct the attack after closing hours to prevent casualties but conceded that some bank workers or custodians who were inside the building could be killed or injured in the blast, it says.

The complaint says Varnell helped assemble the device and load it into what he believed was a stolen van. Shortly after midnight on Saturday, Varnell drove the van by himself from a storage unit in El Reno, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the bank in Oklahoma City, and dialed a number on a cell telephone that he believed would trigger the explosion. The FBI and members of a Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Varnell shortly before 1 a.m.

The complaint also states that Varnell prepared a statement to be posted on Facebook after the explosion which reads in part that the attack was “retaliation against the freedoms that have been taken away from the American people” and “an act done to show the government what the people think of its actions.”

If convicted, Varnell faces between five and 20 years in prison.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

George Beard walks into the Stanwood Library with coffee in hand on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
As winter approaches, Stanwood man remains homeless

George Beard is living in his car because he’s too sick to work. So far, connections to resources haven’t been enough.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
‘Right-hand man’ in Snohomish County drug ring sentenced to 10 years

Humberto Garcia was convicted of drug trafficking in April. He’s the last member of the group to be sentenced.

Snow is visible along the top of Mount Pilchuck from bank of the Snohomish River near Rotary Park on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?

Initiative 24-03 proposes legal standing to prevent environmental damage. Opponents say it’ll lead to unnecessary lawsuits.

The Grand Avenue Park Bridge is seen as the sun sets in 2022 in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Elevator at Grand Ave. bridge in Everett closed due to vandalism

The city hopes to reopen the elevator by December. Repairs could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Riaz Khan finally wins office on his fifth try. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mukilteo police seek info on alleged attack on House candidate

Riaz Khan, a former City Council member, said he was fixing campaign signs Tuesday morning when two men attacked him.

Brandon Borg, 21, fills his gas tank in Everett on Oct. 24. Borg must drive long distances for work, and is worried about how the rise in gas prices will affect his ability to save money for his future. (Caroline Walker Evans for Cascade PBS)
Young WA voters say cost of living is their top concern

Everett and Seattle residents cited gas prices and rising rents as motivating factors for their votes this year.

Arlington
Wind, rain leave 20K in Snohomish County without power

The local PUD had no estimate for when power would be restored.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists vote in Everett, elsewhere on latest proposal

It’s the third vote by union members since the strike began on Sept. 13.

Snohomish County Elections employees check signatures on ballots on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
5 things to watch in Washington heading into Election Day

Keep your eyes on statewide initiatives, the race for public lands commissioner and two contentious congressional races.

Snohomish County Elections employees Frank Monkman, left, and Tina Ruybal, right, place sorted ballots in a green container on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County’s guide to the 2024 election

Here is everything you need to know before Election Day.

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.