Man Threatening Oklahoma City 'Working for Higher Power'

A man who threatened to turn Oklahoma City upside down says his bizarre and threatening actions are being taken too seriously.

Monday, September 7th 2009, 11:18 pm

By: News 9


By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A man who threatened to turn Oklahoma City upside down says his bizarre and threatening actions are being taken too seriously.

Even though Dennis Jackson is on a federal watch list, he said he's doing the work of a higher power.

Police say he's out of touch with reality, but Dennis Jackson said he's just misunderstood, and despite the warrant for his arrest, he does plan to come back to Oklahoma.

Dennis James Jackson first made headlines in Oklahoma City after police say he was suspiciously circling the National Memorial and federal building. He was taken into custody, but never arrested.

The 48-year-old does have a history of run-ins with local, state and federal law enforcement. Some say his bizarre behavior, religious ramblings and anti-government attitude are cause for concern, but he said he's not a threat.

"As far as me going to do any type of bodily harm to other people or to myself that is totally out of the question," Dennis Jackson said. "My whole message is a message that promotes peace on to the earth."

But his visit to Oklahoma City in April was anything but peaceful. Fearing there was an explosive device inside, Oklahoma City's bomb squad blew up part of Jackson's pickup truck. After the city refused to pay for the damages, Jackson told police he'd be back to turn the city upside down.

"I meant by going up there and setting up a protest booth and getting all this back in the eyes of the media pertaining to how that they wound up blowing up the back end of my truck illegitimately. That's what I meant," Jackson explained.

Jackson admits he'd be worried too if he came across someone like himself, but insists he's harmless, even after saying this:

"I believe that God has ordained me and given me the authority that if I solely desire, that if I want to wreck havoc down on Oklahoma," Jackson said. "I believe I have the authority to do that."

Jackson, who's now living in Georgia, said he'll be back because he's hired a local attorney to pursue legal action against the city for the damages to his truck.

Oklahoma City police said they'll ask for charges to be filed against Jackson for harassing phone calls if he comes back. He's also banned from several churches across the state and all federal buildings 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:

Man Making Threats Against Oklahoma City Hands Over Bizarre Photos | Tennessee Man Threatens Oklahoma City Police, City 

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

September 7th, 2009

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024