Mother’s tip helped unravel White House UFC drone plot: Affidavit
A mother’s phone call to police about her 19-year-old son’s growing arsenal of weapons, tactical gear, and online contacts led federal authorities to uncover an alleged plot to attack the White House during a UFC event.Five suspects-Michael Alan Thomas and Bryan Omar Roa from California, Tycen Proper from Ohio, Daniel Eskridge from Missouri, and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez-were arrested after the FBI disrupted what was described as a multi-phase attack plan targeting the UFC freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House.Investigations revealed that the group planned to use explosive drones, sniper teams, and coordinated violence to cause chaos, possibly targeting specific lawmakers-including Sen. Marsha Blackburn-due to thier political beliefs and connections to the pro-Israel lobby. Court records indicated that Proper, motivated by anti-government and religious sentiments, had acquired weapons, ammunition, and tactical equipment, and sought to “jumpstart” a revolution. The plot was foiled before execution thanks to rapid law enforcement action spanning multiple states, with most suspects charged with conspiracy to murder and related offenses. The security operation involved extensive measures by the Secret service and other agencies to prevent the attack, which could have resulted in mass casualties and panic.
A mother’s call to police about her 19-year-old son’s growing stockpile of weapons, tactical gear, and online associates helped federal authorities uncover an alleged plot to attack President Donald Trump’s White House UFC event, according to newly unsealed affidavits identifying five suspects arrested in the case.
The filings identify California residents Michael Alan Thomas and Bryan Omar Roa, along with Ohio resident Tycen Proper, Missouri resident Daniel Eskridge, and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez as the five men arrested after the FBI disrupted what officials described as a multiphase attack targeting Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House. The federal complaint alleges one of the leaders of the group sought to “jumpstart” a revolution in the United States, with intentions of going after several Republican lawmakers.
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According to court records, the investigation began on June 10 when Proper’s mother contacted authorities in Knox County, Ohio, expressing concern about her son’s recent behavior and growing involvement with people he had met online.
Deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Danville Police Department responded to the family’s residence that evening. Proper’s father told authorities his son had recently connected with a group of people online and was planning what he described as “recons” with them. He also said Proper intended to travel last weekend to meet the group.
According to the affidavit, Proper had recently acquired camping supplies, food, ballistic plates, a shotgun, a rifle, thousands of rounds of ammunition, extra magazines, and plate carriers. Investigators later recovered firearms and ammunition as part of the federal inquiry.
Additional details from the court filings indicate Proper allegedly spent roughly $3,000 in graduation money on weapons, ammunition, magazines, and tactical equipment. Authorities also allege he quit his job in preparation for meeting online associates to conduct what were described as “missions” and “recons.”
What began as a local call to police soon expanded into a multistate terrorism investigation involving at least 12 FBI field offices.
Federal officials say the group planned to carry out a coordinated attack during the historic White House event, which was attended by Trump, Cabinet officials, business leaders, and thousands of spectators.
According to investigators, the alleged plan called for explosive-laden drones to strike buildings near the event, triggering panic and forcing crowds to flee. Authorities allege sniper teams would then target people moving through predetermined escape routes while a separate group attempted to exploit the confusion by breaching White House security perimeters.
Court filings further indicate that investigators uncovered Signal group chats containing discussions about the operation with additional people, including maps of the event grounds, proposed sniper positions, and drone launch points.
During one uncovered text exchange, Proper said he sought to target Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) because she received money from “the pro Israel lobby and supports them,” citing information he pulled from TrackAIPAC.com.
Other GOP lawmakers Proper allegedly targeted using TrackAIPAC were Sens. Jim Justice (R-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), as well as Reps. Carol Miller (R-OH) and Riley Moore (R-WV). The Washington Examiner contacted representatives from the donation tracking website but did not receive a response.
One affidavit identifies Thomas as an alleged organizer of the conspiracy. According to investigators, Thomas told authorities he believed the U.S. government was controlled by elites who “sacrifice and eat children,” had ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and were being protected by Trump.
Proper was likewise motivated by his belief that the government erred in its handling of disclosures related to the Epstein files. His mother described him and his cohort as having interactions with an unnamed online group that expressed “ultra-religious and anti-government sentiments” that “may share some Christian-based ideology,” according to his affidavit.
Federal authorities also allege Proper participated in planning discussions and was viewed as a leader within the group who wanted to “jumpstart” a revolution in the country. Investigators said they uncovered online communications discussing reconnaissance missions, weapons, drones, and plans for violence in Washington.
The FBI announced Tuesday that five people had been arrested in connection with the alleged conspiracy. All five have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Sources familiar with the investigation told Fox News that all five suspects are U.S. citizens and that investigators do not currently believe a foreign nexus was involved.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised agents and prosecutors for disrupting the alleged attack before it could be carried out.
“Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel wrote Tuesday morning on X.
Security for the event was led by the Secret Service with support from the U.S. Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. The extensive operation included multiple checkpoints, expanded security perimeters, and road closures throughout downtown Washington.
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The defendants could face decades in federal prison if convicted. Court records show that most of the suspects, including Thomas, Roa, Alvarez, and Eskridge, have been charged with conspiracy-to-murder offenses, while Proper faces a broader slate of allegations that includes attempted murder of a federal officer or employee, firearms offenses, and conspiracy charges.
The complaints are preliminary charging documents, and prosecutors could seek additional counts through a grand jury indictment as the case moves forward.
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