The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed the arrests of two more men in connection with an alleged plot to attack government officials attending the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House’s South Lawn.
As detailed by the FBI’s Office of Public Affairs, a group of individuals planned to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14, and seven individuals have been arrested so far. Authorities apprehended William Lee Spartacus Falkner of Washington on Friday (June 19) on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder, while Jordan W. Rincker of Missouri was arrested on Sunday (June 21) on the same charge.
“These arrests are the latest result of the FBI, teaming up with our great partners, to identify and apprehend those who allegedly wanted to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event—a threat this FBI and our partners prevented,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “In just over a week we have executed a multi-state operation that could not have been possible without our Justice Department prosecutors, the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Secret Service, and our state and local law enforcement partners to once again stop a potentially deadly plot before alleged criminals could act. This collective resolve demonstrates to anyone who threatens the lives of American citizens—this FBI and our partners will find you no matter where you hide, and you will face justice.”
Their arrests follow the arrest of five other individuals accused of being connected to the plan. Tycen C. Proper of Ohio, Bryan Omar Roa of California, Michael Alan Thomas of California, Daniel K. Eskridge of Missouri, and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez of Nebraska were arrested last week, the Office of Public Affairs confirmed.
Falkner was identified as a co-conspirator in the plot after the parents of Proper alerted the authorities about their son’s “concerning online activities” and the purchase of weapons. Falkner is believed to have extensive experience with drones, and allegedly discussed with his co-conspirators about implementing explosives on drones to use at the event. One of the arrested individuals allegedly stated that they hoped the plot could lead to the overthrowing of the government.
Rinker, meanwhile, allegedly accepted $1,200 in cash from one of the co-conspirators in the plot in exchange for a pump-action shotgun. Rinker is also believed to have sent money to another co-conspirator to pay for his gas to travel from California to the White House. Upon executing a search warrant of his home and a storage unit, investigators discovered he was in possession of multiple rifles, a 3D printed Glock-style pistol with 3D-printed ammunition, a gas mask, night vision goggles, and a thermal imaging scope.
After FBI officials were alerted about the activity of Tycen C. Proper, they seized a journal from his bedroom that included a list of the names of politicians and celebrities expected to attend UFC Freedom 250. In signal chats that authorities were able to access through Proper’s phone after it was seized, they discovered a message from co-conspirator Daniel Eskridge telling the group they should target “someone that can't be easily turned into a right vs left thing," adding, "we want someone both sides would celebrate." Falkner, however, wanted to target Donald Trump specifically.
