Ohio man arrested after social media post threatening to blow up West Des Moines insurance agency

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – A man from Columbus, Ohio, was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly posted a video to social media threatening to blow up an insurance agency in West Des Moines, according to law enforcement officials.

Christopher Marsh Webb, 57, was taken into custody on Saturday and has been charged with a threat of terrorism. The incident unfolded in the 6000 block of Westown Parkway after a concerned citizen reported a disturbing video on Instagram.

According to court records, West Des Moines Police were alerted to a video posted by Webb in which he expressed frustration with his insurance provider over a totaled vehicle. In the video, Webb is seen in front of an office building on Westown Parkway. He posed a chilling question to his followers: “Why am I here? Am I going to blow up the insurance agency or did I just need gas?” The camera then panned to five gasoline cans placed on the curb. The video concluded with Webb stating, “You decide.”

The nature of the video prompted an immediate law enforcement response. Upon investigation, the West Des Moines Police Department located Webb and took him into custody. The gasoline cans seen in the video were found to contain gasoline.

During an interview with investigators, Webb reportedly complained about corporate America and specifically targeted insurance companies as “the true bad guy.” He allegedly claimed the video was a “scheme to garner more followers for his Instagram page.” Court documents indicate that Webb admitted to knowing it was an insurance company building.

Webb is currently being held in the Dallas County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on July 2 in Dallas County District Court.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.