FBI foils plot to kill Trump, Vance with drones and explosives at UFC White House event
Eight men face federal charges for allegedly plotting to assassinate Donald Trump, JD Vance, and other high-profile figures during a UFC event held on White House grounds in June.
FBI foils plot to kill Trump, Vance with drones and explosives at UFC White House event
Eight individuals have been indicted on federal charges for allegedly conspiring to murder Donald Trump and JD Vance during a UFC event that took place on the grounds of the White House in June. Prosecutors say the group planned to use drones, explosives, firearms, and body armor to carry out the attack.
The indictment, filed before a grand jury in the state of Ohio, accuses the suspects of providing material support to terrorists and plotting to kill a government official on US soil. According to the charges, the targets included the US president, the vice president, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Tesla founder Elon Musk, along with other high-value figures attending the "UFC Freedom 250" event on June 14.
The eight accused men, ranging in age from 19 to 32, are identified as Abraham Alvarez, Daniel Escritiz, William Falkner, Tyson Proffer, Jordan Rinker, Brian Roa, Chandler Skaggs, and Michael Thomas. Court documents allege the group began forming its plan in May, collecting funds, firearms, ammunition, bulletproof vests, explosives, drones, medical equipment, and communications devices.
Prosecutors claim the suspects used online platforms and social media — including Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok, and Instagram — to coordinate their activities. The group allegedly created a tiered system to rank participants according to their roles. Members of the "first tier" were expected to take risks, break the law, and potentially go into hiding. The conspiracy also allegedly agreed to kill any US government employee working at the UFC event.
According to the indictment, several suspects traveled from states including Nebraska, Missouri, Washington, Ohio, West Virginia, and California toward the White House. Roa and Thomas allegedly received training in marksmanship and combat in California during May. Escritiz reportedly kept notes on his mobile phone detailing the tier system and personal information of each participant. Falkner allegedly contacted at least one person on Instagram, offering payment for 3D-printed "drone skeletons."
Law enforcement learned of the potential threat against Trump and the UFC event on June 10, four days before the scheduled fights. The tip came after the mother of 19-year-old suspect Tyson Proffer called police in Columbus, Ohio, concerned that her son had been communicating with people online and had recently purchased weapons. Proffer's father allegedly told authorities that the teenager was planning "recognitions" and "hit-and-run missions," and had spent at least $3,000 on camping gear, food, body armor, and "lots of ammunition."
FBI director Kash Patel confirmed last month that the conspiracy had been dismantled. At least five people were taken into custody, while another 23 were identified as possible associates of the network. Authorities stated that the group embraced fringe conspiracy theories and hoped the attack would destabilize the American government.
Source: Philenews
Source: Philenews