A Sayre, Oklahoma, man was arrested early Saturday morning in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb in downtown Oklahoma City.According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jerry Drake Varnell, 23, was arrested early Saturday morning in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb at BancFirst, 101 N. Broadway, announced Mark A. Yancey, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma."He wanted to replicate the Oklahoma City bomb," FBI assistant special agent in charge Raul Bujanda said Monday during a news conference.According to a criminal complaint filed Sunday, the FBI arrested Varnell at about 1 a.m. after he attempted to detonate what he believed to be an explosives-laden van he had parked in an alley next to BancFirst. The complaint alleges that Varnell initially wanted to blow up the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C., with a device similar to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing because he was upset with the government.The complaint explains that after Varnell’s intentions came to the attention of law enforcement, an undercover FBI agent posed as a person who could assist him.According to the complaint, Varnell took a series of actions to advance his plot. He identified BancFirst as the target, prepared a statement to be posted on social media after the explosion, helped assemble the device, helped load it into what he believed was a stolen van, drove the van by himself from El Reno to BancFirst in downtown Oklahoma City, and dialed a number on a cellular telephone that he believed would trigger the explosion.Varnell is charged with attempting to use explosives to destroy a building in interstate commerce. If convicted, he would face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. He is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Oklahoma City at 3 p.m. Monday.The arrest is the culmination of a long-term domestic terrorism investigation involving an undercover operation, during which Varnell had been monitored closely for months as the alleged bomb plot developed, authorities said. The device was actually inert, and the public was not in danger. “There was never a concern that our community’s safety or security was at risk during this investigation,” said Kathryn Peterson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oklahoma. “I can assure the public, without hesitation, that we had Varnell’s actions monitored every step of the way.”“I commend the devoted work of the FBI and our state law enforcement partners in ensuring that violent plots of this kind never succeed,” U.S. Attorney Yancey said.Officials with BancFirst released the following statement:"BancFirst has been working cooperatively with the FBI. At no time were employees, customers or the general public ever in any danger. We believe our BancFirst downtown Oklahoma City building was a random and convenient selection by the suspect. There is no further threat or reason for concern. We take comfort and our company embraces a deep appreciation and admiration for the men and women of the FBI for their diligent and dedicated work in protecting our nation."Sen. Jim Inhofe released the following statement:"This weekend the FBI, working with local law enforcement, successfully prevented a hateful act of domestic terrorism that could have mirrored the Alfred P. Murrah Building bombing in 1995. I am grateful for the service of the state and federal law enforcement who not only foiled the attempted terrorist, but did so without putting the community at risk."I also appreciate the concerned citizens who exemplified the Oklahoma Standard -- looking out for their community by sharing concerns about the alleged perpetrator. It is only by working together as a community that we continue to prevent future instances of domestic terrorism and extremism."