Feds arrest N. Charleston man in threat to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
A South Carolina federal grand jury has indicted Jack Teddie Varner III, 31, of North Charleston, for threatening Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
An indictment in the case alleges that on Jan. 25, Varner called a U.S. Customs and Immigration Services automated phone line and requested to speak with DHS Secretary Noem, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in South Carolina.
The indictment was made public Friday.
While on the call, Varner’s responses “escalated” and he said several times that “she should take her own life,” according to the indictment.
Before ending the call, Varner said, “It appears that Kristi Noem should kill herself. I hope that her and all of the ICE agents in Minnesota die very painful deaths. And if someone else doesn’t get to them first, I will.”
Varner has been charged with interfering with a federal official by threat of assault or murder. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release to follow any term of imprisonment.
He made an initial appearance in federal court Feb. 13.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Sowards is prosecuting the case.
Varner’s lawyer, federal public defender Charles Cochran, could not be reached for comment.
Varner was arraigned Friday morning in an initial appearance in federal court in Charleston, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
At the hearing, Magistrate Judge Molly Cherry placed him under an unsecured $50,000 bond and assigned Varner his court-appointed lawyer, Cochran.
Varner was then released on bond and must stay under home detention and wear a geolocation device.
He also must abide by other conditions, including surrendering his passport, staying in South Carolina and not possessing a gun. He also will be confined to his house except for mandatory outings to a place of work, doctor’s office and the like. He also is forbidden to try to contact Noem or any other government official.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 12:24 PM.