Federal prosecutors named five men charged in an alleged plot to attack and kill government officials and others attending UFC Freedom 250 on the White House grounds, adding new details about explosive drones, sniper positions, encrypted chats, and alleged target lists.
The Justice Department said the FBI arrested Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska.
The FBI made the arrests over the weekend in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California, according to the Justice Department.
The new charges expand on the investigation previously reported by The Dallas Express, after a federal complaint in Ohio alleged Proper admitted to planning with others a coordinated attack against the U.S. government during the UFC event at the White House.
Prosecutors said the group planned to deploy drones armed with explosives in and around the UFC event to force an evacuation, then use snipers to fire on “high value targets” in the fleeing crowd.
Five Charged In Alleged Plot
The Justice Department said the alleged conspirators planned a “mass casualty event” targeting U.S. officials and others attending the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 event.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal law enforcement “disrupted” and “dismantled” the alleged plan before anyone could carry it out.
“We will take immediate and aggressive action to identify and prosecute those who incite and plan acts of violence,” Blanche said.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI and law enforcement partners learned June 10 about a potential threat involving individuals outside the National Capital Region.
“Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel said.
Secret Service Director Sean M. Curran said protecting the president and White House grounds remains the agency’s top priority.
“The landscape has changed, and as a result we have seen a dramatic rise in threats against our protectees,” Curran said.
Drone And Sniper Allegations
According to federal complaints, investigators interviewed Proper at a medical facility June 11. Proper allegedly said he had planned with others to carry out a coordinated attack against the U.S. government during the White House UFC event.
Proper told investigators that members of the group started communicating around March and that more serious members moved their conversations to an encrypted chat app, according to prosecutors.
The group allegedly planned to fly small drones with explosives over the north side of the UFC arena to force “high value targets” to evacuate, then use snipers to shoot those individuals.
Before carrying out the alleged plan, Proper and other conspirators planned to meet in Fredericksburg, Virginia, prosecutors said.
Proper allegedly amassed firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and tactical gear at his Ohio home. Prosecutors said he also identified potential targets, including multiple members of Congress.
Suspect Details
Federal authorities said they searched Roa’s residence and vehicle in California and seized a rifle, handgun, tactical belt, ammunition, a rifle magazine, a two-way radio, and an infrared laser target pointer.
Investigators also searched Roa’s phone and found messages with Thomas, Proper, and others discussing an attack at the White House UFC event, prosecutors said.
Thomas allegedly participated in a group chat planning the attack and wrote June 7, “$1300 gets us the drones and the charges. Yes we should all pitch in and we need it asap…”
Prosecutors said Thomas also described “tiers” of operators in the anti-government group, including ground operators, drivers, drone operators, logistical suppliers, and social media influencers.
FBI agents searched Thomas’ residence June 13 and seized a rifle, 30-round extended magazines, 180 rounds of ammunition, and a pistol, according to prosecutors.
Eskridge faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder on White House grounds. Prosecutors said the FBI identified him while reviewing communications on Proper’s phone.
In encrypted chats, members of the group allegedly discussed assassinating U.S. senators, representatives, and prominent business executives. Prosecutors said some members targeted legislators based on the group’s belief that the lawmakers accepted money from pro-Israel lobbies.
Authorities said Eskridge also discussed “5 teams of 3,” with each team including one sniper, one support or lookout operator, and one drone operator. FBI agents searched his residence June 13 and recovered rifles, a shotgun, pistol, and tactical gear, according to prosecutors.
Alleged Organizer Identified
Federal prosecutors said Alvarez used the name “Shepherd” in an encrypted chat app and helped plan, organize, and direct the alleged attack.
According to prosecutors, Alvarez posted a message that read, “This is the best action I see. Position your teams in the purple dots (counter sniper and drones) Long range (circled area) (great shot) Easy out into the river.”
Alvarez also allegedly posted messages about making drones with explosives, including one that said, “As many and as deadly as we can get.”
The complaint says Alvarez provided other members with a picture and directions for a “safe zone” at an old church in Nebraska. He also allegedly instructed members to take back roads or the river to a pickup location and later provided locations for drone launch points and sniper positions.
If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
A criminal complaint contains allegations. The law presumes all defendants innocent unless prosecutors prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
