Source: United States Department of Justice News
A Tulsa man has been charged in federal court for leaving a voicemail threatening to “murder people” at the Ernest Childers Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa then showing up to the clinic the same day with a loaded firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. The facility serves veterans and is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Zachariah Kade McGuire, 31, was charged by Criminal Complaint with possession of a firearm in a federal facility. McGuire made an initial appearance Thursday in federal court and is scheduled for preliminary and detention hearings on Jan. 5, 2023, at 2 pm.
According to court documents, on Nov. 14, 2022, the defendant’s mother called to schedule an appointment for him at the clinic, which was set for Dec. 13, 2022.
Shortly after, McGuire called back and allegedly left the threatening voicemail message, which was reported to the Veterans Affairs Police.
McGuire stated, in part, “You will make me an appointment and prescribe me my meds, or I will murder you. You have 30 minutes to do so, or I will be coming up there and start to murder people.” He also referenced a doctor he had a grievance with.
At approximately 12:30 pm the same day, McGuire showed up at the clinic. Soon after, officers made contact with McGuire and asked if he had a weapon. He responded yes, and officers retrieved a.357 magnum revolver from McGuire’s jacket pocket. The firearm was loaded with six rounds of ammunition. Officers also recovered seven plastic zip ties from McGuire.
During a later interview with special agents from the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, McGuire claimed that he didn’t remember making the call but admitted that he did bring the firearm to the outpatient clinic. He explained that he looked for his primary care provider, but didn’t see him, then was taken into custody by officers.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Police, Tulsa Police Department, and FBI are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. AUSA Raley is the National Security Anti-Terrorism (ATAC) Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
This matter will proceed in United States District Court in Tulsa, where the Complaint is currently pending. A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.