DOJ updates White House UFC plot cases: 2 more arrests, obstruction charge

The U.S. Department of Justice says its White House UFC Freedom 250 plot prosecutions expanded with two more FBI arrests and—days later—an obstruction-of-justice charge tied to Signal messages.

DOJ describes a multi-state investigation that is being handled through separate federal-district proceedings for different defendants. All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until convicted in court.

What DOJ says the alleged plot targeted, and when

DOJ says the FBI and law-enforcement partners learned on June 10 about a potential threat tied to the UFC event in Washington, D.C., involving individuals outside the National Capital Region.

According to DOJ, investigators allege conspirators planned to use explosive-laden drones to force an evacuation during the event, and then deploy snipers to fire on “high value targets” within the fleeing crowd.

June 16: DOJ charges five men across multiple federal districts

On June 16, DOJ announced charges against five men and described a coordinated plan to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending UFC Freedom 250 on the White House grounds. DOJ listed the defendants as Tycen C. Proper, Bryan Omar Roa, Michael Alan Thomas, Daniel K. Eskridge, and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez.

DOJ also said the complaints and supporting materials were filed in multiple districts, including the Southern District of Ohio, the Western District of Missouri, the District of Nebraska, and the Central District of California.

June 22: FBI arrests two more suspects tied to drone allegations

On June 22, DOJ said the FBI arrested two additional men: William Lee Spartacus Falkner and Jordan W. Rincker, bringing the total number of people known to be facing federal charges to seven, according to reporting by The Associated Press.

DOJ described allegations that Falkner discussed drone-related plans and explosive loading, and that Rincker was tied to weapons and allegedly providing drone-related assistance.

June 26: obstruction-of-justice case adds a “Signal uninstall” allegation

On June 26, DOJ announced an obstruction-of-justice charge involving Alexander Iniguez Mercado, 20, of Chicago. DOJ said Mercado was allegedly an administrator and member of Signal messaging groups that included people discussing planning a violent attack targeting the UFC event at the White House on June 14.

DOJ says that the day before the event, an FBI special agent spoke to Mercado by telephone about online threats and whether he planned to travel to Washington, D.C. DOJ alleges Mercado then uninstalled the Signal application, making related message data unavailable. DOJ said Mercado’s maximum penalty, if convicted, is 20 years in prison.

DOJ also said Mercado was scheduled for an initial appearance in federal court in Chicago at 3:00 p.m. on June 26 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes for the Northern District of Illinois.

What to watch next

This case is still moving—DOJ says the investigation remains ongoing—so court filings and docket activity matter. For public accountability, readers should watch each district’s docket for:

• Initial appearances and any detention/bail hearings
• Arraignments, plea activity, and scheduling changes
• New filings that clarify how prosecutors link alleged drone planning and alleged obstruction conduct
• Whether additional suspects are named as DOJ continues through the separate proceedings

Sources

• DOJ Office of Public Affairs (Press Release): FBI arrests two more men in the White House UFC plot (June 22, 2026)
• Associated Press: Report on two additional arrests in the planned White House UFC attack plot