Baltimore, Maryland – Darryl Albert Varnum, age 43, of Westminster, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to the federal charge of making a threatening communication, specifically to threatening a member of Congress.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Chief Steven A. Sund of the U.S. Capitol Police.

United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur stated, “We take violent threats extremely seriously.  The investigation began immediately upon learning of the threats.  Mr. Varnum was arrested on July 8th and subsequently indicted.”

According to his plea agreement, on June 26, 2019, Varnum called the office of a member of Congress which was located in Florida and left a voicemail message in which he threatened to murder the member of the U.S. House of Representatives, who supported legislation that Varnum opposed.

Varnum faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Capitol Police for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who is prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Darryl Albert Varnum, age 42, of Westminster, Maryland, on the federal charge of threatening a federal official.  The indictment was returned on July 17, 2019, and Varnum will have his arraignment and detention hearing on August 5, 2019 in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Chief Steven A. Sund of the U.S. Capitol Police.

United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur stated, “We take these types of violent threats extremely seriously.  The investigation began immediately upon learning of the threats.  Mr. Varnum was charged federally by criminal complaint and arrested on July 8th.”

According to the one-count indictment, on June 26, 2019, Varnum allegedly threatened to murder a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, with intent to impede, intimidate, and retaliate against that person on account of the performance of that person’s duties as a member of U.S. House of Representatives.

Varnum was arrested on July 8, 2019, on a federal criminal complaint.  On July 10, 2019, U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner ordered that Varnum complete a 28-day inpatient program at the Shoemaker Center in Sykesville, Maryland, and return to the court at the conclusion of the program.

If convicted, Varnum faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. 

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Capitol Police for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who is prosecuting the case.

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