ALLEGED DRONE AND SNIPER ATTACK TARGETING WHITE HOUSE UFC EVENT THWARTED; FIVE MEN CHARGED IN MULTI-STATE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Federal authorities have charged five men from Ohio, California, Missouri, and Nebraska in connection with an alleged conspiracy to carry out a mass-casualty attack targeting government officials and attendees during the UFC Freedom 250 event held on White House grounds on June 14.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI launched an investigation on June 10 after authorities became aware of a potential threat involving individuals located outside the Washington, D.C. region. Over the following days, investigators identified what prosecutors describe as a coordinated plot involving weapons, tactical equipment, encrypted communications, explosive-equipped drones, and plans to target officials attending the event.

The investigation culminated in arrests across four states before authorities allege the attack would have been carried out. Federal authorities have stated that the investigation remains ongoing.

The defendants have been identified as Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska.

According to federal charging documents, investigators allege the group conspired to execute a coordinated attack designed to create panic during the UFC Freedom 250 event before targeting designated individuals during a mass evacuation.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said federal investigators, prosecutors, and law enforcement partners successfully identified and disrupted the alleged conspiracy before it could be carried out. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the case demonstrated the ability of federal authorities to rapidly identify and respond to threats directed at large public gatherings and government officials.

U.S. Secret Service Director Sean M. Curran emphasized that protecting the President of the United States and White House grounds remains the agency’s highest priority and noted that threats against protected individuals have increased in recent years.

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Investigation Began June 10

According to U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II, the investigation originated in the Southern District of Ohio after authorities received information concerning a possible threat connected to the White House event.

Federal authorities allege the investigation revealed that one of the defendants had accumulated weapons, ammunition, tactical gear, and communications with like-minded individuals while identifying potential targets for an attack.

As investigators expanded the case, authorities traced communications and evidence across multiple states, ultimately resulting in arrests and federal search warrants in Ohio, California, Missouri, and Nebraska.

Court filings allege members of the group began communicating around March and later transitioned to encrypted messaging platforms as planning discussions became more detailed.

According to investigators, discussions allegedly evolved from general anti-government rhetoric into operational planning that included weapons acquisition, funding discussions, reconnaissance, tactical positioning, transportation, and target selection.

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Alleged Attack Plan

According to criminal complaints filed in multiple federal districts, the conspirators allegedly planned to use small drones equipped with explosives to attack the UFC Freedom 250 venue.

Federal authorities allege the drones would have been deployed near the event in order to trigger panic and force an evacuation of attendees.

Once the evacuation began, prosecutors allege members of the group planned to engage designated “high value targets” using sniper positions established around the event.

Court filings further allege participants discussed escape routes, rally points, operational roles, transportation logistics, and staging locations before the planned attack.

Investigators also allege the group discussed the creation of multiple operational teams consisting of sniper personnel, drone operators, and support members responsible for logistics and surveillance.

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Tycen C. Proper

According to federal court filings, investigators interviewed Tycen C. Proper at a medical facility on June 11, 2026.

Authorities allege Proper admitted participating in planning discussions related to an attack targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event.

According to investigators, Proper stated that individuals interested in participating began communicating around March before moving discussions to an encrypted communications platform.

Court documents allege Proper described plans involving drones equipped with explosives that would detonate over the northern section of the event area, forcing designated targets to evacuate before armed members of the group opened fire.

Investigators allege Proper stated that participants intended to rendezvous in Fredericksburg, Virginia, before executing the operation.

Federal authorities further allege Proper accumulated firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, tactical equipment, and other supplies at his Ohio residence.

According to court filings, Proper also identified potential targets that allegedly included multiple members of Congress.

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Bryan Omar Roa

According to a complaint filed in the Central District of California, federal agents executed search warrants at Bryan Omar Roa’s residence and vehicle.

Authorities allege they recovered a rifle, handgun, ammunition, a tactical belt, rifle magazines, a two-way radio, and an infrared laser target pointer.

Investigators allege Roa participated in encrypted communications involving Proper, Thomas, and others regarding the planned attack.

According to court documents, messages allegedly discussed the use of drones equipped with explosives and sniper attacks directed at individuals evacuating the event.

Federal authorities also allege they discovered social media videos showing Roa firing firearms.

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Michael Alan Thomas

Federal prosecutors allege Michael Alan Thomas played a significant role in planning discussions surrounding the operation.

According to court documents, Thomas allegedly wrote in a group conversation that “$1300 gets us the drones and the charges. Yes we should all pitch in and we need it asap.”

Investigators allege Thomas discussed a structured operational hierarchy for the group.

According to the complaint, Thomas allegedly described Tier 1 personnel as ground operators, Tier 2 personnel as drivers and drone operators, Tier 3 personnel as logistical suppliers, and Tier 4 personnel as social media influencers.

Court documents further allege Thomas discussed meeting Roa in Southern California for marksmanship training and referenced preparing for what he described as “gorilla style warfare.”

Federal authorities executed a search warrant at Thomas’ residence on June 13 and allegedly recovered a rifle, extended magazines, ammunition, and a pistol.

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Daniel K. Eskridge

Daniel K. Eskridge was charged with conspiracy to commit murder on White House grounds.

According to an affidavit filed in the Western District of Missouri, investigators identified Eskridge through electronic communications recovered during the investigation.

Federal authorities allege discussions within encrypted chat groups included conversations concerning the assassination of U.S. Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and prominent business executives.

Court filings further allege members of the group discussed attacks on portions of the nation’s electrical infrastructure and power grid systems.

Investigators allege Eskridge shared photographs depicting tactical equipment, including a rifle, helmet, and ballistic vest.

Authorities also allege Eskridge participated in conversations concerning funding requirements, drone acquisition, explosives, sniper team assignments, and operational staffing.

According to court documents, Eskridge stated that the group required approximately $1,300 to acquire drones and explosive charges and encouraged members to contribute funds.

Federal authorities executed a search warrant at Eskridge’s residence on June 13 and allegedly recovered rifles, a shotgun, a pistol, and additional tactical equipment.

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Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez

According to charges filed in Nebraska, investigators identified Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez as the individual operating under the name “Shepherd” within encrypted communications used by the alleged conspirators.

Federal authorities allege Alvarez served as a principal organizer and coordinator of the planned operation.

According to court filings, investigators recovered messages in which “Shepherd” discussed sniper locations, drone deployment areas, and movement routes around the event.

Authorities allege Alvarez encouraged the acquisition and deployment of multiple explosive-equipped drones and discussed efforts to obtain additional drone systems.

Investigators also allege Alvarez distributed images and directions related to an old church location identified as a potential safe zone for participants.

Court filings further allege that Alvarez provided maps, aerial imagery, launch locations, pickup points, and other planning information associated with the alleged operation.

Federal authorities contend that communications recovered during the investigation demonstrate a significant role in planning and directing various aspects of the alleged operation.

Court filings include screenshots of encrypted communications, aerial imagery, mapped locations, firearms, tactical equipment, and alleged staging locations that prosecutors contend were connected to planning for the attack. Several of those images are included at the end of this article.

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Evidence Recovered Across Multiple States

The investigation resulted in the execution of multiple federal search warrants across the country.

According to court filings, authorities recovered firearms, ammunition, tactical equipment, communications devices, electronic evidence, maps, planning materials, and other items investigators believe are connected to the alleged conspiracy.

Federal authorities also recovered communications discussing operational planning, funding, logistics, target selection, transportation, drone deployment, and sniper positioning.

The investigation remains active as federal authorities continue reviewing evidence seized during the searches.

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Potential Penalties

If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000.

Additional charges related to conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carry potential penalties of up to five years in federal prison.

The criminal complaints contain allegations only. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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