Sayre Man’s Federal Conviction Upheld

1-312

December 15, 2021

By News Director Jared Atha

A federal appeals court has rejected a Sayre man’s claim that the FBI manipulated him into trying to blow up a bank in downtown Oklahoma City.

27-year-old Jerry Drake Varnell is currently serving 25 years in federal prison for attempting to detonate a fake 1,000-pound bomb outside BancFirst headquarters in 2017.

His attorneys had asked the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the diagnosed schizophrenic’s conviction.

In an opinion Monday, a 10th Circuit three-judge panel affirmed Varnell’s conviction and sentence.

The judges did agreed with Varnell’s defense attorney that “the FBI’s investigation in this matter was aggressive and its participation in constructing the bomb and choosing a target was extensive.”

However, one judge wrote that Varnell made deeply troubling statements to a friend before the FBI became involved and then voluntarily engaged in serious criminal conduct during the course of the investigation.

The judge also wrote that Varnell drove the van containing the inert bomb to the BancFirst building, circled the building until a security vehicle left the alleyway, and then attempted to detonate the bomb three times.

Varnell was convicted at a federal jury trial in 2019 of attempting to destroy property used in interstate commerce and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

A judge chose his punishment last year.

Varnell came under investigation after the friend reported his statements to the FBI about setting off bombs to start a revolution.

The friend became a paid FBI informant and introduced Varnell to an undercover FBI agent.

In one meeting about potential targets, Varnell told the undercover agent he wanted to do something like the ending of the movie “Fight Club,” according to testimony at the trial.

Prosecutors told the appeals court that FBI agents would have been remiss in their duties if they had not tested how far Varnell would go to carry out his desires.

Varnell parked the van about 12:40 a.m. Aug. 12, 2017. Then, from several miles away, dialed a number on a cellphone, believing that would set the bomb off. He tried two more times before being arrested.

Copyright 2021 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

2503131449_5335328

Early Voting Begins March 27

Sayre, OK – Early voting begins Thursday, March 27th for voters in Beckham County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, have the option of voting early at their

2503052058_130507

OSBI Investigates Homicide in Clinton

OSBI Press Release Clinton, OK – On March 4, 2025, the Clinton Police Department requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to assist in a homicide investigation. Just before 12:30 a.m., officers responded to a shots fired

2502281151_texas-fugitive-arrested-in-custer-county755882

Texas Fugitive Arrested in Custer County

Custer County, OK — A Texas fugitive accused of probation violation related to a child sexual assault case has been charged in Custer County, Oklahoma. According to court documents filed on February 19, 2025, Jess Lee Kolander,

2502271345_372990

Teacher Training Fund Established at SWOSU

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the receipt of a major charitable gift from Ms. Marilyn Allred of Oklahoma City. This generous philanthropic contribution will be used to establish an endowment that will

2502231153_1847018

Elk City House Fire Quickly Contained

Elk City, OK – At about 11:30 a.m. Friday, firefighters rushed to the 900 block of Halsey Drive after receiving a call about a house fire. Engine 3, A-shift arrived to find heavy smoke billowing from the

2502231146_2533109

The Price of Progress

By Landry Brewer Elk City, OK – As Elk City’s Downtown Construction Project moves into its next phase, downtown businesses are doing their best to meet shoppers’ needs. Crews completed work at Main & 7th and have

2502191118_1798787

Elk City Fire Department Now Hiring Paramedics

Elk City, OK – The Elk City Fire & EMS Department is actively recruiting paramedics for a dedicated paramedic-only position. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced EMTs looking to advance their careers or for licensed paramedics