Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Police, FBI Foil Plot to Detonate Vehicle Bomb in Oklahoma City

"He wanted to replicate the Oklahoma City bomb," FBI assistant special agent in charge Raul Bujanda said Monday during a news conference.

August 14, 2017
Police, FBI Foil Plot to Detonate Vehicle Bomb in Oklahoma City

Jerry Drake Varnell is charged with attempting to use explosives to destroy a building in interstate commerce. (Photo: Oklahoma Department of Corrections)

2 min to read


A Sayre, OK, man was arrested early Saturday morning in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb in downtown Oklahoma City, reports KOCO.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jerry Drake Varnell, 23, was arrested early Saturday morning in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb at BancFirst, 101 N. Broadway, announced Mark A. Yancey, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Ad Loading...

"He wanted to replicate the Oklahoma City bomb," FBI assistant special agent in charge Raul Bujanda said Monday during a news conference.

According to a criminal complaint filed Sunday, the FBI arrested Varnell at about 1 a.m. after he attempted to detonate what he believed to be an explosives-laden van he had parked in an alley next to BancFirst. The complaint alleges that Varnell initially wanted to blow up the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C., with a device similar to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing because he was upset with the government.

The complaint explains that after Varnell’s intentions came to the attention of law enforcement, an undercover FBI agent posed as a person who could assist him.

Varnell is charged with attempting to use explosives to destroy a building in interstate commerce. If convicted, he would face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

Sen. Jim Inhofe released the following statement:

Ad Loading...

"This weekend the FBI, working with local law enforcement, successfully prevented a hateful act of domestic terrorism that could have mirrored the Alfred P. Murrah Building bombing in 1995. I am grateful for the service of the state and federal law enforcement who not only foiled the attempted terrorist, but did so without putting the community at risk.

More Patrol

Two camo magazine puches against a blue tinted police background and a logo for Tasmanian Tiger.
PatrolApril 22, 2026

Tasmanian Tiger Introduces the TT SGL Mag Pouch Clamp M4

Tasmanian Tiger has launched the TT SGL Mag Pouch Clamp M4, an open magazine pouch engineered for M4/AR-15 platforms that integrates a plastic clamping device for secure retention and fast magazine deployment.

Read More →
Police officer in a darkened hallway holding a flashlight and headline 5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights, and POLICE logo.
PatrolApril 16, 2026

5 Things to Know When Buying Patrol Lights

Whether it’s time to buy a personal patrol light or make the decision for the next department-issued patrol light, what do you need to know? How do you weigh the different variables and make the best choice?

Read More →
Group of men and women seated in a circle around a room as one woman stands and leads discussion.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Warriors Heart’s Mission to Serve America’s Veterans and First Responders

Warriors Heart works closely with federal and community partners to expand treatment options for veterans and first responders. By combining specialized clinical care with a peer-driven recovery environment, the program helps warriors rebuild strength, restore relationships, and rediscover purpose.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black background with police card lights and logo for POLICE, with headline in yellow: How are LE Boots Different for Women
Patrolby Wayne ParhamApril 9, 2026

How are LE Boots Different for Women?

Boots fit differently for men and women, so how are law enforcement boots for women designed differently from those worn by men? In this video, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, shares all the details.

Read More →
Man standing in desert talking on radio.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Motorola Solutions Extends Resilient, Mission-Critical Communications and AI with T-Satellite from T-Mobile

A collaboration between Motorola Solutions and T-Mobile helps deliver uninterrupted situational awareness and access to AI wherever the mission leads, enabled by satellite connectivity for Motorola Solutions' APX NEXT smart radios.

Read More →
Las Vegas skyline at dusk with headline 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit, dates for the event, and diagonally at bottom right words Registration Open.
PatrolApril 9, 2026

Registration Now Open for 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit

Registration is now open for the 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit. The Summit is an opportunity to connect with local and federal leaders, specifically the FirstNet Authority, which is hosting a track at the event this year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two chest rig packs in camo in front of a blue themed SWAT background and a logo for Tasmanian Tiger.
PatrolApril 6, 2026

Tasmanian Tiger Launches Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 & Modular Chest Rig Pack for LE

Tasmanian Tiger has expanded its Modular Load-Carrying System with the new Modular Chest Rig 4xM4 and Modular Chest Rig Pack. Both provide adaptable, low-profile load options for military, law enforcement, and SWAT missions.

Read More →
Security worker watching computer monitors, with a white area at top with a logo for ZeroEyes.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

ZeroEyes Expands from AI Gun Detection to Knife Detection & Suspect Tracking

ZeroEyes has launched three new product categories to extend beyond firearms to address additional acute safety threats and basic security needs. Knife detection and suspect tracking are now also available.

Read More →
GALLS logo against a white box set atop a blue-tinted map of Tennessee.
PatrolApril 2, 2026

GALLS Acquires CMS Uniforms

GALLS has acquired CMS Uniforms and Equipment, Inc., a prominent regional provider based in Nashville, Tennessee. CMS Uniforms, founded in 2000, has built a reputation for delivering stellar customer service and managing complex uniform programs for more than 670 accounts.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Police drone hovering over its charging nest against a blue sky background.
PatrolMarch 26, 2026

Brinc Unveils Guardian, Launching the Next Era of Drone as First Responder

Brinc’s new Guardian delivers 24/7 operations, Starlink connectivity, and a robotic charging nest that can swap batteries and change payload configurations without human intervention.

Read More →