FBI foils alleged drone terror plot targeting White House UFC event
The FBI disrupted a terrifying drone plot targeting a White House UFC event, arresting 23 suspects motivated by anti-government and anti-Israel ideology. ‘Outnumbered’ discusses the chilling details, including plans for snipers and a 19-year-old’s alleged purchase of $3,000 in weapons.
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Officials on Tuesday released new details about the five suspects accused of plotting a “mass casualty event” targeting President Donald Trump and other high-profile officials during the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House on Sunday.
Prosecutors allege the group, who were arrested in June during a multi-state sweep, coordinated an ambush involving explosive-laden drones intended to strike the north side of the White House.
The suspects were identified as Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Here are five chilling details investigators say they uncovered about the alleged plot.
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Suspects involved in a thwarted UFC plot stand in a line during a display. (Department of Justice/Jacquelyn Martin – Pool/Getty Images)
1. Evacuation trap targeting Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk
Officials said the group planned to target multiple high-profile officials through a coordinated ambush.
According to court documents, the suspects allegedly intended to launch explosive-laden drones over the UFC arena and detonate them above the crowd, forcing panicked attendees and “high-value targets” (HVTs) to flee to a “southern evacuation point”
In what effectively served as a pre-designated kill zone, authorities say the evacuation area was covered by five separate sniper teams positioned to ambush fleeing officials and security personnel.
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According to charging documents, the snipers were instructed to “initiate their part of the plan eliminating HVTs first then the retaliatory forces such as SS [Secret Service], NG [National Guard], and swat.”
Investigators allege that Alvarez, whom prosecutors identified as the online ringleader, listed intended targets in an encrypted group chat using coded references, including “1” for Trump, “2” for Vice President JD Vance, “N” for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “Musk” for Elon Musk.
The documents further allege that one of the members, Proper, had compiled a target list containing 46 individuals.
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2. Plot to rob a military ammunition plant
Officials said the group discussed a backup plan to steal military ordnance after determining that its members lacked the expertise needed to manufacture homemade explosives.
According to investigators, the group’s drone builder proposed targeting a military-industrial facility to obtain the necessary explosive materials. One co-conspirator allegedly identified the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons, Kansas, as the “most viable” target among several facilities under consideration.
Authorities said Eskridge responded enthusiastically to the proposal, claiming he had “a guy digging into Parsons assembly facility” to gather on-the-ground intelligence ahead of the planned theft.
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Tycen Proper allegedly acquired an AR-style rifle and a bullpup rifle painted with the American flag, officials said. (Department of Justice)
3. Safe houses, bunkers and jail-break plans
The conspirators allegedly anticipated an overwhelming law enforcement response following their planned “trigger event,” with one member warning authorities would “send everything they have to hunt us.”
To prepare, investigators said the suspects began identifying safe houses and constructing makeshift bunkers where ground operators could hide after the attack.
In late May, Eskridge allegedly told the group that his rural six-acre property in Missouri would be converted into a safe house, complete with a hidden bunker concealed beneath the floorboards of a shed. Authorities said Alvarez also identified an abandoned brick church in Nebraska as a secondary fallback location.
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The suspects allegedly went even further, discussing contingency plans for operatives who might be captured.
“We will try to break them out of jail if we need to,” Thomas said.
4. Hit lists fueled by “demonic” infant-sacrifice conspiracies
Investigators said the alleged plot was driven by a mix of extreme anti-government ideology, antisemitic beliefs and bizarre satanic conspiracy theories.
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According to court documents, Thomas told FBI agents he believed the U.S. government is controlled by a secret elite protected by the president that sacrifices and consumes infants.
Investigators also cited writings allegedly authored by Proper, the youngest member of the group at 19 years old. Authorities said Proper kept a journal outlining his belief that a larger group worships a demonic figure and engages in the ritual sacrifice of children.
Crucially, investigators noted this journal contained a target list of 46 individuals, including politicians and celebrities. Court records allege Proper and Eskridge actively researched targets using the website “TrackAIPAC.com,” specifically focusing on lawmakers they believe accepted campaign funds from pro-Israel lobbies.
Officials said Tycen Proper allegedly acquired several boxes of ammunition estimated to be thousands of rounds and two plate carriers with AR-style magazines. (Department of Justice)
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5. A massive arsenal financed by “graduation money” and crowdfunding
Prosecutors said a significant portion of the group’s initial arsenal was acquired by 19-year-old Proper, who allegedly quit his job and spent roughly $3,000 of his graduation money to purchase thousands of rounds of ammunition, ballistic plates, an AR-style rifle and a bullpup rifle painted with an American flag.
According to court documents, the suspects initially attempted to crowdsource funding for the attack. Investigators said Eskridge and Thomas encouraged members of the group to pitch in to raise $1,300 to purchase the drones and explosive charges intended for the operation.