Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Threatening a Member of Congress

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 8^th 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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