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A 20-year-old Chicago man has been arrested in connection with a thwarted violent plot targeting a recent Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House.
Alexander Iniguez Mercado was indicted Thursday in federal court for allegedly serving as an administrator and member of Signal messaging groups used to plan a violent attack on the June 14 event, Fox News has learned.
He is one of eight suspects from across multiple states who have been charged in connection with the conspiracy.
According to the indictment, the FBI contacted Mercado by phone just one day before the White House event to discuss online threats.
When a special agent asked if Mercado was planning to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the attack, he allegedly denied the plans and refused to meet with law enforcement.
Immediately after the call, Mercado allegedly uninstalled the Signal app from his phone, rendering the critical message data unavailable to investigators.
Because of the alleged attempt to destroy evidence, Mercado has also been charged with obstruction of justice, according to the DOJ.
Mercado was taken into custody Thursday and is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Chicago today at 3 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.