Tennessee Man Threatens Oklahoma City Police, City

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Law enforcement agents across the nation are on high alert for a man who has threatened to "turn Oklahoma City upside down."

An arrest warrant has been issued for Dennis James Jackson, 48, of Tennessee. Police have reason to believe Jackson could be on his way, or already in the Oklahoma City metro area.

"We consider anyone like this, who is harassing or threatening other people to be a potential threat," said Oklahoma City Police Spokeswoman Jennifer Wardlow.

Oklahoma City police were first made aware of Jackson by Edmond Police. According to an internal memo, Jackson had gone to a metro church and said something "monumental" was about to happen. He also refused to allow an Oklahoma County Deputy to search his vehicle when contacted in early April, claiming he had "precious cargo."

On the evening of April 24, just hours before the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, Jackson was seen suspiciously circling the Bombing Memorial and the Federal Building.

According to court documents, Jackson "made statements to Federal Protective Service Personnel in the area of his ability to make nuclear weapons and made claims that he worked for the Federal Government."

Authorities at the time noticed objects with wires protruding in a rear compartment of Jackson's truck. Due to the circumstances, the Oklahoma City Police Department Bomb Squad was called to the scene.

The bomb squad blew up part of Jackson's truck, but no explosive devices were recovered and Jackson was later released because he had not directly made any threats or broke any laws.

Jackson was again detained in the same area of downtown Oklahoma City on April 25 after he was seen circling the area again. Officers had received information that Jackson was wanted on charges of threats made to law enforcement in Tennessee, but he was released because the agency with the warrant did not want to extradite Jackson.

In the weeks following the situation with the bomb squad, Jackson filed a claim with the city of Oklahoma City for the damages made to his truck, but his claim was later denied.

According to a probable cause affidavit, that's when Jackson began calling an Oklahoma City police officer's personal cell phone multiple times.

"This is when he began making the harassing phone calls and that's basically how this arrest warrant came about," Sgt. Wardlow said.

According to the affidavit, on August 2, Jackson made the first of four calls to the officer.

In one message Jackson told the officer he "needed to get with the City to get this changed or he would turn Oklahoma City upside down." He repeatedly threatened to bring in teams of lawyers and media to help create problems in Oklahoma City if the officer didn't take steps to remedy the situation.

According to the affidavit, Jackson left several more messages that indicated he'd be in the area within 24 hours and rambled about nuclear weapons and the 1995 Murrah Bombing, but stopped short of making any direct threats involving explosives.

Records show Jackson has threatened former President Bush and the families of law enforcement in Tennessee.

Prosecutors charged Jackson with one misdemeanor count of making intimidating, threatening or harassing phone calls. In September 2012, that charge was dismissed at the request of the state.

Jackson denies all wrongdoing.

More on News9.com:

- Read the affidavit and application for arrest warrant and arrest warrant (PDF)

- Man Arrested near Oklahoma City Memorial