Five Arrested and Charged in Plot to Attack White House UFC event, Kill Officials

The Justice Department announced charges on Wednesday against five men for an alleged plot to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House last Sunday.

The FBI launched an investigation into the plot and identified a group of conspirators who procured weapons and made plans to carry out the attack. The FBI made arrests over the weekend in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California. The investigation remains ongoing.

“The FBI, our law enforcement partners and our U.S. Attorneys did what they do every day to make America safe through quick response and vigilance in investigating, disrupting, and dismantling this alleged plan before it could be carried out,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“We will take immediate and aggressive action to identify and prosecute those who incite and plan acts of violence.”

The suspects were taken into custody across Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California following an FBI investigation that federal officials say disrupted a coordinated plot involving explosives, drones, and firearms.

According to the FBI, the probe began on June 10 after authorities identified a potential threat linked to individuals outside the Washington, D.C. region, leading to what officials described as a swift, multi-state operation that prevented the alleged attack.

Investigators allege the group had developed a detailed plan to deploy drones carrying explosives over the event site in order to trigger an evacuation, after which armed participants would carry out sniper attacks on fleeing attendees and “high-value targets.”

Court filings further claim that the suspects discussed targeting government officials, including members of Congress, and coordinated their roles through encrypted messaging platforms. One defendant allegedly described an operational structure dividing participants into “tiers,” including attackers, drivers, drone operators, and logistical supporters, while other messages referenced the need to pool money to purchase drones and explosives and to conduct training for what they called “marksmen” roles.

U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II said: “The investigation of this plot began on June 10 here in the Southern District of Ohio. Thanks to the urgent and diligent work of our AUSAs, our law enforcement partners, and our sister U.S. attorney offices, five men from around the country are now in custody for an alleged plan to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House on Sunday.”

“As alleged in our complaint, the investigation revealed that a man from Knox County, Ohio, amassed weapons, ammunition and tactical gear at his home in Ohio, connected with like-minded individuals online & had identified targets for an attack,” added Gerace II. “We are proud to have some of the Nation’s finest investigators and AUSAs in this District and are immensely grateful for their work to thwart this attack.”

Law enforcement officials said searches of the suspects’ residences and devices uncovered firearms, ammunition, tactical gear, and electronic communications allegedly linked to the planning of the attack. In Ohio, one suspect was reportedly found with a large stockpile of weapons and ammunition, while others were linked to group chats discussing target selection and operational planning. Prosecutors allege that discussions also included identifying specific public officials and infrastructure targets, as well as potential locations for drone launches and sniper positions.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal agencies acted quickly to prevent the alleged plot from being carried out, stating, “The FBI, our law enforcement partners and our U.S. Attorneys did what they do every day… investigating, disrupting, and dismantling this alleged plan before it could be carried out.” 

FBI Director Kash Patel similarly emphasized the rapid response of investigators, saying, “Multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” adding that the agencies remain committed to identifying and prosecuting those who threaten public safety at major events.

U.S. Secret Service Director Sean M. Curran said protecting the White House remains the agency’s top priority amid what he described as a rise in threats against protected officials.

He noted that close coordination between federal and local law enforcement was critical in stopping the alleged plan. The five defendants—identified as Tycen C. Proper, Bryan Omar Roa, Michael Alan Thomas, Daniel K. Eskridge, and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez—face charges including conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment. Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, with additional evidence still under review.

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