WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two more men were arrested by the FBI since Friday in a fast-moving investigation of a plot to attack the June 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event at the White House, according to a press release issued Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice.
William Lee Spartacus Falkner was arrested midday Friday, June 19. Falkner is charged by criminal complaint in the Western District of Washington with conspiracy to commit murder. He appeared in U.S. District Court in Tacoma Monday.
Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested Sunday, June 21. Rincker is charged by criminal complaint in the Western District of Missouri with conspiracy to commit murder. He appeared in U.S. District Court in Kansas City on Monday.
Tycen Proper, a 19-year-old who graduated from Danville High School through the Knox County Career Center’s Landscape & Management program in May, was arrested June 10.
His mother notified the Danville Police Department and Knox County Sheriff’s Office of concerns about her son’s “recent conduct, including firearms purchases and communicating with certain individuals online,” according to a federal affidavit.
The alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to hit buildings near the event, force a mass evacuation and steer crowds toward a prestaged sniper team, FBI officials said.
A “second wave” was then allegedly planned to storm the White House gate, according to FBI officials.
“Law enforcement continues to do what it does — move to disrupt and hold accountable those allegedly plotting to do harm on the White House Grounds on June 14,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Each and every day, the FBI and their federal, state and local law enforcement partners, along with U.S. Attorneys offices across the country, safeguard American communities and our nation’s security.”
According to the newly unsealed complaint, members of the conspiracy allegedly agreed to commit murder on the White House grounds and surrounding area during the UFC Freedom 250 event. The complaint alleges the conspiracy operated from approximately March through June 21.
“These arrests are the latest result of the FBI, teaming up with our great partners, to identify and apprehend those who allegedly wanted to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event — a threat this FBI and our partners prevented,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “In just over a week we have executed a multi-state operation that could not have been possible without our Justice Department prosecutors, the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Secret Service, and our state and local law enforcement partners to once again stop a potentially deadly plot before alleged criminals could act.
“This collective resolve demonstrates to anyone who threatens the lives of American citizens — this FBI and our partners will find you no matter where you hide, and you will face justice.”
According to the affidavit, Proper is charged with:
— conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.
— attempted murder of any officer or employee of the United States.
— possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
— receipt or transfer of a firearm used to commit a felony.
“These latest arrests reflect the rapid progress of our investigation into the alleged plot targeting the UFC event at the White House — an apparent attempt to destabilize the U.S. government,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security (NSD) John A. Eisenberg. “NSD will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to ensure that all individuals who sought to carry out this potential attack are identified and brought to justice.”
Proper waived his right to a detention hearing on June 16 in the U.S. District Court of Southern Ohio. Proper is being held without bond at the Franklin County Jail in Columbus.
Proper has retained new legal counsel in the case, according to the federal court docket. Strongsville attorney Joseph Patituce will represent Proper going forward.
“I commend the work of the FBI for their effective investigative work on what was clearly a plot to murder members of the federal government at the highest levels,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd for the Western District of Washington. “This was a geographically wide-ranging conspiracy, and the investigation has required round-the-clock coordination to identify and arrest those responsible.
“Here in the Pacific Northwest, the FBI and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office moved swiftly and carefully to ensure any threat to the public was neutralized.”
The newly unsealed affidavit also suggests investigators were examining whether members of the group discussed a potential future attack targeting a FIFA World Cup match scheduled for July 3 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Prosecutors said the plotters met around March through a TikTok community known as “Vanguard of the Old” where participants shared workout videos and tactical content before moving to encrypted Signal chats.
Federal investigators allege members acquired firearms, ammunition, ballistic gear and other tactical equipment in preparation for the attack.
The complaint claims Proper allegedly acquired several boxes of ammunition, plate carriers, rifles and tactical clothing, while Daniel Eskridge allegedly obtained multiple firearms, a helmet and a ballistic vest.
A seizure of Proper’s phone helped investigators identify other members of the alleged network. Investigators say the network extended well beyond the five men initially charged.
Proper’s phone contained a primary Signal chat with approximately 19 alleged participants, according to court records, along with smaller operational chat groups organized by role and location.
The most recent arrests mean seven men have been charged in connection with the case. Follow this link for a closer look at the first five.
In addition to Proper, those arrested earlier this month include: Alleged ringleader of the plot Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of California, Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of California, Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri
“This case demonstrates the effectiveness of our law enforcement partners and U.S. Attorneys working together to prevent violence before it can take place,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri. “We will continue taking decisive action against those who seek to endanger national security and threaten the safety of Americans.
“By staying proactive, we will disrupt their operations, break apart their networks, and hold those responsible accountable under the law.”
According to published reports, the plot involved at least 12 suspects across the United States who adhered to an “accelerationist” ideology and hoped to bring down American capitalism, according to federal law enforcement sources.
Here are the latest details about the two most recent arrests:
William Falkner
According to the detailed complaint filed in the Western District of Washington, law enforcement first learned of the plot to attack the UFC White House event when the parents of a co-conspirator in Ohio, Tycen C. Proper, alerted police to their son’s purchase of weapons and concerning online activities.
As investigators reviewed cell data and online communications, they identified a number of coconspirators including Falkner. The communications indicate that Falkner has experience with drones, both manufacturing and piloting them. In the communications, he discussed loading explosives on the drones and how to configure and fly them for maximum destructive impact.
The plan apparently called for the drones to attack the event on one side to force those in attendance to try to exit from the other side of the event where they could be shot by coconspirators with sniper rifles and other weapons.
Falkner and another had been discussing their “Work trip” prior to the scheduled UFC fight. After the arrests of some of the co-conspirators, Falkner and others communicated that the “work trip” was cancelled.
One of those arrested in this case said the goal of the conspirators was to cause enough chaos to bring about the overthrow of the U.S. government.
Conspiracy to commit murder is punishable by up to life in prison.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Wynne for the Western District of Washington is prosecuting the case, working closely with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
Jordan Rincker
In the criminal complaint filed in the Western District of Missouri, it is alleged that Rincker accepted $1,200 in cash from co-conspirator, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, to disperse payment to other co-conspirators involved in the UFC event attack plot.
The complaint alleges that with this money Rincker sent Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California, $100 through CashApp, for gas to drive from California to Washington, D.C., to pick up the “drone operator” for the attack.
Both Alvarez and Roa were arrested and charged last week for their involvement in the plot to kill government officials during the UFC event at the White House.
Rincker allegedly communicated with co-conspirators on an encrypted messaging application. According to court documents, Rincker also gave a 12-gague pump action shotgun to Alvarez during an in-person meeting in Omaha.
During this meeting, Alvarez gave Rincker a ballistic plate, face shield, 3D printer, 3D printing filament, night vision goggles, binoculars, a “wire checker,” and a minicomputer. Alvarez allegedly gave Rincker the 3D printer to make drones. The complaint also states Rincker “traded” the 12-gauge pump action shot gun with an ammunition-filled bandolier.
While executing a search warrant of Rincker’s home and storage unit, investigators found:
- FN Reflex 9mm pistol with a magazine and loose 9mm rounds;
- FMK AR1 eXtreme multi-caliber rifle;
- A Remington 597 .22 LR caliber rifle;
- 3D printed Glock-style pistol with 3D-printed magazine and 3D-printed ammunition;
- Gas mask with cartridge;
- Night vision goggles;
- Multiple electronic devices; 3D printer (Ender brand)
- 3D printer and filament;
- 3D printed gun parts;
- Shield;
- Strike Face Level III ballistic plate;
- Plate carrier with plates inside;
- Thermal imaging scope;
- A mini-Mac computer; and
- Muzi Works off grid mesh network (a network that uses rugged, pre-built and specific devices to send secure text messages and share locations without cellular service or the internet; it relies on long-range, low-power radio frequencies, like 900MHz LoRa, to hop messages between devices, creating a decentralized communication grid owned by its users).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Brackett, Trey Alford, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Chlarson for the Western District of Missouri are prosecuting the case, working closely with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
The charges contained in a complaint are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.