Related Federal Cases
Militia Men Plotted Border Patrol Murders, Faced Justice
SPRINGFIELD, MO – A twisted plot to wage war on the U.S.-Mexico border, fueled by anti-government rage, was dismantled thanks to the relentless work of federal and local law enforcement. Bryan C. Perry, of Clarksville, Tenn., and Jonathan S. O’Dell, of Warsaw, Mo., are awaiting sentencing after being found guilty in November 2024 of conspiracy to murder officers and employees of the United States government – specifically, Border Patrol agents and immigrants. But their plan didn’t stop at rhetoric; it escalated into a violent confrontation with the very agents trying to bring them to justice.
The duo, identifying with the self-styled 2nd American Militia, didn’t just talk about conflict. They *planned* it. According to court documents, Perry and O’Dell intended to “go to war with border patrol.” That plan unraveled spectacularly when, on the eve of their intended trip south, O’Dell and Perry opened fire on FBI agents executing a search warrant. The resulting chaos led to seven counts of attempted murder of FBI special agents, seven counts of assaulting them with a deadly weapon, and three counts of simple assault. They also face charges of using firearms in furtherance of a crime and damaging federal property.
The investigation, led by FBI Special Agent Isaac McPheeters, wasn’t confined to Missouri. It required coordination across multiple states – Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas – and involved numerous federal and local agencies. The complexity was compounded when O’Dell escaped from custody in October 2023. McPheeters and the FBI swiftly mobilized, launching a state-wide manhunt that culminated in O’Dell’s apprehension within 48 hours. “Violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus. “Recognition of the work to stop these individuals from carrying out their planned attack is greatly appreciated.”
The honors weren’t limited to the border patrol case. Six officers were recognized with the 2025 Guardian of Justice Award at the 23rd Annual Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee Training Seminar in Springfield, Mo., on August 21, 2025. ATF Special Agent Jerry Wine, along with ATF Task Force Officers David Schroeder (Greene County Sheriff’s Office), Justin Gargus (Christian County Sheriff’s Office), Eric Pinegar (Springfield Police Department), and Evan Nicholson (Springfield Police Department) were lauded for their sustained efforts to curb violent gun crime and gang activity plaguing the Springfield area.
That Springfield investigation, launched in November 2021, focused on a surge in shooting incidents – drive-bys and homicides – involving juveniles and young adults. These weren’t isolated events; they were occurring in neighborhoods and crowded public spaces, putting innocent citizens at risk. By leveraging crime gun data, social media intelligence, and traditional police reports, the ATF team began identifying key suspects and disrupting the cycle of violence. Details of those suspects and specific cases remain under wraps, but the ATF’s efforts are credited with a noticeable reduction in gun-related incidents.
U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price, Western District of Missouri, praised the dedication of all involved. “I would like to congratulate and commend the agents and task force officers for their effort on these investigations,” Price stated. “As a result of their hard work and dedication, these violent individuals are off the streets and citizens of the Western District are safer.” Perry and O’Dell are scheduled to be sentenced on August 26, 2025, facing significant prison time for their dangerous and misguided beliefs. The charges against them include two counts for Perry of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of possessing body armor as a violent felon, and one count of threatening to injure another person. O’Dell faces one count of threatening to injure another person, along with guilty pleas to illegally possessing a firearm while under a court order of protection, making a false statement to a federal agent, and escaping from custody.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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