{"id":2619606,"date":"2026-06-26T15:07:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T19:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicago-man-arrested-in-connection-with-foiled-ufc-fight-attack\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T15:09:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T19:09:49","slug":"chicago-man-arrested-in-connection-with-foiled-ufc-fight-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicago-man-arrested-in-connection-with-foiled-ufc-fight-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago man arrested in connection with foiled UFC fight attack"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fchicago-man-arrested-in-connection-with-foiled-ufc-fight-attack%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2619606&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Chicago man, Alexander Mercado, was arrested for allegedly plotting an attack on the White House during President Donald TrumpS UFC event on June 14.Mercado reportedly managed a Signal chat group used to plan the attack and tried to delete evidence after speaking with the FBI. He is charged with obstruction of justice and is scheduled to appear in Illinois. The FBI uncovered threats against the event and, shortly after, Mercado denied involvement and refused to meet investigators. He subsequently uninstalled the Signal app, deleting encrypted messages. Mercado is the eighth person charged in connection with the conspiracy, which involved plans to use explosive drones to attack near the UFC event, causing mass evacuations and targeting the White House. The FBI emphasized the seriousness of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-bob-menendez-chokes-up-as-he-says-corruption-charges-spoiled-his-golden-jubilee\/\" title=\"VIDEO: Bob Menendez Gets Emotional, Blames Corruption Charges for Ruining His Celebratory Milestone\">obstructing law enforcement<\/a> during investigations of such threats, which also targeted politicians and elites.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chicago\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"808\">Chicago<\/a> man was arrested in connection with an alleged plot to attack the White House during President<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\"> Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> June 14 UFC event, according to federal prosecutors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alexander Mercado, 20, allegedly administered a Signal group chat used to plan the attack and later deleted evidence after speaking with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"516\">FBI<\/a>. He was charged with obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted. Mercado is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Friday afternoon in the Northern District of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illinois\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"206\">Illinois<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4626697\/judge-declares-mistrial-palisades-fire-arson-case-jury-deadlocks\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge declares mistrial in Palisades Fire arson case after jury deadlocks<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4626468\/dc-payout-star-wars-theme-national-guard-settlement\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DC to pay \u2018significant amount\u2019 to man who played Star Wars \u2018Imperial march\u2019 behind National Guard<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4626251\/john-bolton-pleads-guilty-mishandling-classified-information\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>John Bolton pleads guilty to one count of mishandling classified information<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the indictment, Mercado served as an administrator of a Signal messaging group where participants allegedly coordinated a violent attack targeting the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ufc\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4991\">UFC<\/a> event at the White House.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The day before the event, an FBI special agent contacted Mercado by phone after investigators uncovered online threats against the gathering. The agent asked whether Mercado planned to travel to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"260\">Washington, D.C.<\/a>, to participate in the attack. Mercado allegedly denied any involvement and declined to meet with investigators.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prosecutors alleged that shortly after the call, Mercado uninstalled the Signal application from his phone, deleting encrypted messages stored on the device and making them unavailable to investigators. Signal is an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-supporter-reveals-northern-calif-antifa-hit-list\/\" title=\"Trump supporter reveals Northern Calif. Antifa hit list\">encrypted messaging platform<\/a> that stores messages locally on users\u2019 devices. Removing the application deletes those locally stored messages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercado is the eighth person charged in connection with the alleged plot. Seven other individuals from multiple states have been charged. The FBI said those arrested were attempting to target \u201ccapitalist elites,\u201d \u201cbillionaires,\u201d and politicians who received money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FBI said it learned of the alleged conspiracy on June 10, just four days before Trump and other senior government officials attended the UFC event. Authorities allege five of the suspects planned to use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-troops-stop-second-drone-attack-in-two-days\/\" title=\"U.S. Troops Stop Second Drone ... In Two Days\">explosive-laden drones<\/a> to strike buildings near the venue, which could trigger a mass evacuation. Investigators said the conspirators intended to funnel fleeing crowds toward a pre-positioned sniper team before launching a second phase of the attack to target the White House gates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-transform:uppercase\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4610138\/fbi-thwart-explosive-drone-attack-ufc-freedom-250-fight\/\">FBI thwarts explosive drone attack against UFC Freedom 250 fight<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cObstructing justice in a law enforcement investigation into a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >planned violent domestic attack<\/a> is a profoundly serious offense,\u201d U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros said in a statement. \u201cThe investigation in this case involved serious threats to public safety, including the safety of President Donald J. Trump, other members of government, as well as the many attendees and athletes who attended the event at the White House.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boutros added that the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office \u201cwill pursue all appropriate charges against those who act to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bob-menendez-tells-dem-colleagues-he-wont-resign\/\" title=\"Bob Menendez refuses to resign, informs fellow Democrats.\">obstruct law enforcement investigations<\/a> because safeguarding the public depends on the full, unhindered pursuit of the evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chicago man, 20, charged in White House attack plot<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2619607,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26166188611758.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5175,4387,50403,81800,8095],"class_list":["post-2619606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-arrest","tag-chicago","tag-crime-2","tag-fight-attack","tag-ufc"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26166188611758.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2619606"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619606\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2619610,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619606\/revisions\/2619610"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2619607"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2619606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2619606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2619606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}