Two individuals who helped establish a militia organization have been found guilty of planning to murder federal agents as they prepared for a trip to the Texas-Mexico border with intentions to shoot at undocumented immigrants and any federal agents trying to intervene.
A jury at the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Missouri, delivered the verdict against Jonathan S. O’Dell, 34, from Warshaw, Missouri, and Bryan C. Perry, 39, from Clarksville, Tennessee. They were convicted on over 30 felony counts each, a fact confirmed by Teresa Moore, the lead federal prosecutor for western Missouri, on Friday. The jurors reached their decision after more than two hours of deliberation.
O’Dell’s defense attorney, Jonathan Truesdale, chose not to comment on the verdict. In contrast, Perry’s lawyer, Thomas Kirsch, stated that Perry intends to appeal the ruling. Kirsch expressed Perry’s disappointment in the outcome but acknowledged his gratitude towards the jury for their commitment and the right to a jury trial.
“My client holds a profound love for this nation and the principles it embodies, including his constitutional right to a jury trial,” Kirsch remarked.
Currently, there has been no date set for sentencing for either of the defendants. However, they both face a minimum of ten years in prison, with the potential for life sentences.
Perry additionally pled guilty to three offenses, which include escaping from federal custody. He managed to flee from a county jail in Rolla, Missouri, in September 2023 but was recaptured two days later following a high-speed chase about 160 miles northwest, near Kansas City.
According to the prosecutors, the two men initiated the 2nd Amendment Militia and attempted to recruit new members during the summer and autumn of 2022. Evidence presented in court indicated that O’Dell’s residence, located approximately 100 miles from their intended target, served as a base where the two men stored firearms, ammunition, paramilitary equipment, and other necessary supplies.
Prosecutors reported that in September, Perry shared a TikTok video stating that their militia’s purpose was to “go protect this country,” and followed up with another in early October announcing they would be “out huntin’.” The two men regarded U.S. Border Patrol agents as traitors for permitting immigrants to enter Texas.
The day prior to their anticipated departure for Texas, an FBI unit utilizing an armored vehicle executed a search warrant at O’Dell’s property. Reports indicate that Perry fired 11 rounds from a rifle at the FBI agents. While O’Dell and his girlfriend surrendered peacefully, Perry engaged in a physical confrontation with the agents after leaving the house.
The legal charges against both individuals included the use of firearms in a violent crime, illegal possession of firearms, and damage to federal property. Perry was prohibited from firearm possession due to a felony aggravated robbery conviction in Tennessee in 2004, for which he served approximately four years in prison, according to online records.
