Two convicted by a Missouri court of plotting to kill U.S. Border Patrol agents

Jonathan S. O'Dell, 34, of Warsaw, Missouri, and Bryan C. Perry, 39, of Clarksville, Tennessee, were convicted by a federal jury on Thursday, November 7, of conspiracy and attempted murder of U.S. Border Patrol agents, according to FBI reports. to murder agents during their arrest. The trial took place in U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Missouri.

O'Dell and Perry were convicted of conspiring to murder U.S. government officials and employees. They planned to travel to Texas to crack down on illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and intended to attack Border Patrol agents who would attempt to stop them.

Both individuals were also convicted of conspiracy to assault and injure federal officers. Additional charges include seven counts of attempted murder of FBI agents, 14 counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, three counts of assault on agents and damage to federal property.

During the trial, it was revealed that O'Dell was found guilty of threatening to harm another person. He also pleaded guilty to possession of firearms under a judicial protective order, making false statements to federal agents and evading custody. On September 29, 2023, O'Dell escaped from the Phelps County Jail in Rolla, Missouri, stole a vehicle and fled to Ray County, where he was recaptured on October 1, 2023 after a high-speed chase.

Perry was also found guilty of two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of body armor by a violent felon and threatening to injure another person. Perry, who has a previous felony charge of aggravated robbery, traveled to Missouri in 2022 with weapons and tactical gear and stayed at O'Dell's residence.

The court heard evidence that Perry and O'Dell were co-founders of the 2nd American Militia and attempted to recruit members through social media. Perry posted videos on TikTok expressing his intention to take violent action against the government and describing plans to go “hunting” on the U.S.-Mexico border.

On October 7, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at O'Dell's apartment at approximately 6 a.m. Agents announced themselves over loudspeakers as shots were fired at their armored vehicle. Perry fired 11 shots from a Voodoo Innovations rifle, hitting the vehicle. The agents used stun grenades, entered the apartment and took O'Dell and his girlfriend into custody. Perry initially surrendered but then attempted to retreat, leading to a fight in which one agent was injured before Perry could be overpowered.

A search of the property uncovered six firearms, body armor, over 1,700 rounds of ammunition, sniper equipment, gas masks and tactical equipment, as well as videos and recruiting materials.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before convicting O'Dell and Perry. Both men face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years and up to life in prison without parole. The conviction follows a presence investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Ashley Turner led the case, which was investigated by multiple agencies, including the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement.

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