Federal prosecutors have charged five men over an alleged plot to attack a UFC event staged on the White House grounds, saying the group discussed using explosive-laden drones and sniper fire against government officials and other attendees.The charges, made public after arrests across Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and California, centre on UFC Freedom 250, the cage-fighting event held on the South Lawn on Sunday as part of celebrations tied to America’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. Trump attended with senior administration figures and other prominent guests, turning the site into one of Washington’s most sensitive public gatherings this year.
The defendants were named as 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. Each faces allegations linked to a conspiracy to carry out a mass-casualty attack targeting officials and members of the crowd.
Investigators say the alleged plan involved small drones carrying explosives being flown towards the north side of the UFC arena to force an evacuation. The group then intended to position gunmen to fire on “high value targets” as people fled, using pre-selected sniper locations, escape routes and a possible safe house. Court filings describe maps, aerial photographs and encrypted chats in which participants discussed drone launch points, weapons, lookout teams and movement towards the Potomac River.
The FBI opened the investigation on June 10 after becoming aware of a potential threat involving people outside the National Capital Region. Proper was interviewed on June 11 at a medical facility and allegedly told investigators that he and others had planned a co-ordinated attack against the federal government during the UFC event. He allegedly said members of the group began communicating around March before moving serious discussions to encrypted platforms.
The inquiry expanded after investigators reviewed Proper’s phone, which allegedly contained a group chat of about 19 people and smaller operational chats of four or five members. The smaller groups were described as divided by role and location. The filings allege that members discussed firearms, explosives, drones, logistics and a structure in which some would act as shooters, others as drone operators, drivers, suppliers or online promoters.
Federal agents say searches recovered weapons and tactical equipment from several defendants. Proper allegedly amassed firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and tactical gear at his home. A search linked to Roa allegedly found a rifle, handgun, ammunition, rifle magazine, tactical belt, two-way radio and infrared laser target pointer. At Thomas’s residence, agents allegedly seized a rifle, extended magazines, ammunition and a pistol. Eskridge’s residence allegedly yielded rifles, a shotgun, a pistol and tactical gear.
Alvarez, identified in the filings by the online name “Shepherd”, is alleged to have helped plan, organise and direct the attack. Investigators say he posted instructions on where teams should position themselves, referred to drone and counter-sniper locations, and discussed escape routes. He also allegedly provided directions for a safe zone at an old church in Nebraska.
The alleged plot underscores the security challenge around consumer drones, encrypted communications and large political events. Small unmanned aircraft have become cheaper, easier to modify and harder to detect in crowded urban settings, forcing security agencies to treat mass gatherings near symbolic locations as potential targets for networks that form online and mobilise across state lines.
The South Lawn event, organised with UFC president Dana White, carried patriotic branding and drew praise and criticism. Supporters framed it as a tribute to military personnel and the country’s semiquincentennial celebrations, while opponents objected to using White House grounds for a private sports promotion.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said law enforcement had disrupted and dismantled an alleged plan before it could be carried out. FBI Director Kash Patel said multiple people were in custody after a multi-state operation and that planned attacks had been “stopped cold”. Secret Service Director Sean M Curran said protection of the president and the White House grounds remained the agency’s top priority.
All five defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Conspiracy to commit murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, while conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
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