Ohio man charged in alleged White House UFC attack plot

Five men have been arrested, accused of conspiring through an online group to carry out an attack at a White House UFC event.Those arrested include: 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.Authorities say there are still suspects at large. Court records show the FBI believes that the group was targeting President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and others. “This is still an active, ongoing investigation. Just because we’re done with Freedom 250 or that particular event doesn’t mean we’re going to stop. There are still suspects at large. We’re going to work it until everyone’s been identified,” said Matthew Quinn, Secret Service deputy director.Ohio arrestAmong those arrested is a 19-year-old from Ohio.19-year-old Tycen Proper was arrested in Knox County, Ohio. He faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, attempted murder of a U.S. officer or employee, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and receipt or transfer of a firearm used to commit a felony.Proper is being held in the Franklin County Jail.Proper’s father briefly spoke with WLWT outside their home, saying the family is not making a statement at this time. He plans to speak with his son later and will wait before releasing any public comments. FBI says it learned of threat days before eventFBI Director Kash Patel says agents first learned about the possible threat on last Wednesday, four days before the UFC extravaganza on the White House's south lawn.How the investigation beganAccording to a federal complaint, the investigation into Proper began when his mother called police Wednesday saying he had met with people online and planned "recons" with them. The family says Proper allegedly used $3,000 of his graduation money to buy an AR-style rifle, magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition ballistic plates and camping gear. His family claims he "quit his job" to prepare for an upcoming "mission" and planned to leave last weekend to meet with the people he met online.He was taken to the hospital that night for an emergency admission over "homicidal ideations." The next day the Knox County Sheriff's Office contacted the FBI as a result of the interactions.Group allegedly used TikTok and SignalAccording to the complaint, the group of about 20 people called themselves the "Vanguard of the old" with communications starting in March via TikTok.The group allegedly comprised of people claiming to be "ex-military, Christian-based" that expressed "anti-government, ultra-religious sentiments" with grievances over "government corruption" the "handling of the Epstein files and data centers.Proper's mother claimed the group was "using religion to manipulate and influence her son."Some of the members, including Proper, later moved to Signal, an app that uses end-to-end encryption for its messaging and calling services, through a primary chat of “approximately 19 individuals" and smaller side chats, authorities said.According to the complaint, the group was divided into "three tiers" with "Tier 1" members required to meet physical fitness standards and acquire body armor and firearmsProper was allegedly identified as one of the team leaders, according to the complaint.Alleged attack planWhen questioned, Proper allegedly admitted to the planned attack targeting the UFC event on the White House lawn Sunday.The plan allegedly involved the members of the group meeting in Fredericksburg, Virginia and "staging a demonstration on the north side of the White House."The group allegedly then planned to fly drones "loaded with explosive devices" over the north side of the UFC arena to detonate them.Once the crowd dispersed, the group allegedly planned to use "snipers and shooters" to "shoot fleeing crowd members and high value targets."According to the complaint, Proper allegedly told officials he was "not going to the protest in order to shoot people, several other members were intent on violence."The attack was allegedly talked about as a "jumpstart" to "a revolution" in the United States with the group planned to escape using the Potomac River to an alleged "safe house."Evidence gathered from Proper's phone allegedly included detailed messages, maps and images of the Capitol area.Proper allegedly named Sen. Marsha Blackburn as a "possible target," saying, "she's taken money from the pro Israel lobby and supports them."He also allegedly sent images of four members of Congress: Sen. Jim Justice, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Rep. Carol Miller, and Rep. Riley Moore with information about their pro-Israel PAC funding, stating "these are people we're going to focus on"Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Évian-les-Bains, France, where he was attending the Group of Seven summit, Trump said he had not been briefed on the thwarted plot.Four others are facing similar charges, including two from California, one from Missouri and one from Nebraska.According to a federal complaint against Roa, one of the suspects arrested in California, law enforcement served a search warrant at his home where they allegedly found a rifle, handgun, tactical belt, ammunition and a rifle magazine, a two-way radio and an infrared laser target pointer.A search of his phone allegedly uncovered messages discussing the planned attack as well as videos Roa posted of himself shooting guns. Thomas, who was also arrested in California, is accused of participating in the group chat, allegedly writing a message, "$1300 gets us the drones and the charges. Yes we should all pitch in and we need it asap…”Thomas is also accused of establishing "tiers" within the group to carry out the alleged plan.“Tier one status is not something to take lightly. … We will make sure they have…All the tier 2 support we can provide. We will try to break them out of jail if we need to.” In the same group chats, Thomas discussed meeting with Roa in person in Southern California in order to conduct “marksmen training” and reflected that the group needed to train for “gorilla style warfare.”A search of Thomas' home led to the seizure of a rifle, 30-round extended magazines for the rifle, 180 of rounds of ammunition, and a pistol. Eskridge was charged in Missouri for his alleged role, accused of discussing "targets" in the alleged plot allegedly indicating one of the targets was “big and someone a majority of the country knows.”He also allegedly posted photos of tactical equipment, including a rifle, helmet, and ballistic vest. Alvarez is facing charges out of Nebraska, identified as one of the individuals in the group chat discussing the alleged attack.According to the complaint, Alvarez went by "Shepherd" in the chat, and was allegedly responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the planned attack, based on conversation excerpts in June when Shepherd posted, “This is the best action I see. Position your teams in the purple dots (counter sniper and drones) Long range (circled area) (great shot) Easy out into the river.” Court documents also indicated that Alvarez is accused of discussing specific people in the attack. Investigators believe Alvarez referred to President Trump, Vice President Vance and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as potential targets. Shepherd also allegedly posted other messages including replying to another member on making drones with explosives, “As many and as deadly as we can get.”; that he was working on drones; and had one drone and was working on more.Shepherd also allegedly shared photos and directions to a "safe zone" at an old church in Nebraska, allegedly instructing other group members to take back roads or the river to a "pick up location."According to the US Attorney's Office, if convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

KNOX COUNTY, Ohio —

Five men have been arrested, accused of conspiring through an online group to carry out an attack at a White House UFC event.

Those arrested include: 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.

Authorities say there are still suspects at large.

Court records show the FBI believes that the group was targeting President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and others.

“This is still an active, ongoing investigation. Just because we’re done with Freedom 250 or that particular event doesn’t mean we’re going to stop. There are still suspects at large. We’re going to work it until everyone’s been identified,” said Matthew Quinn, Secret Service deputy director.

Ohio arrest

Among those arrested is a 19-year-old from Ohio.

19-year-old Tycen Proper was arrested in Knox County, Ohio. He faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, attempted murder of a U.S. officer or employee, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and receipt or transfer of a firearm used to commit a felony.

Proper is being held in the Franklin County Jail.

Proper’s father briefly spoke with WLWT outside their home, saying the family is not making a statement at this time. He plans to speak with his son later and will wait before releasing any public comments.

FBI says it learned of threat days before event

FBI Director Kash Patel says agents first learned about the possible threat on last Wednesday, four days before the UFC extravaganza on the White House's south lawn.

How the investigation began

According to a federal complaint, the investigation into Proper began when his mother called police Wednesday saying he had met with people online and planned "recons" with them. The family says Proper allegedly used $3,000 of his graduation money to buy an AR-style rifle, magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition ballistic plates and camping gear.

His family claims he "quit his job" to prepare for an upcoming "mission" and planned to leave last weekend to meet with the people he met online.

He was taken to the hospital that night for an emergency admission over "homicidal ideations." The next day the Knox County Sheriff's Office contacted the FBI as a result of the interactions.

Group allegedly used TikTok and Signal

According to the complaint, the group of about 20 people called themselves the "Vanguard of the old" with communications starting in March via TikTok.

The group allegedly comprised of people claiming to be "ex-military, Christian-based" that expressed "anti-government, ultra-religious sentiments" with grievances over "government corruption" the "handling of the Epstein files and data centers.

Proper's mother claimed the group was "using religion to manipulate and influence her son."

Some of the members, including Proper, later moved to Signal, an app that uses end-to-end encryption for its messaging and calling services, through a primary chat of “approximately 19 individuals" and smaller side chats, authorities said.

According to the complaint, the group was divided into "three tiers" with "Tier 1" members required to meet physical fitness standards and acquire body armor and firearms

Proper was allegedly identified as one of the team leaders, according to the complaint.

Alleged attack plan

When questioned, Proper allegedly admitted to the planned attack targeting the UFC event on the White House lawn Sunday.

The plan allegedly involved the members of the group meeting in Fredericksburg, Virginia and "staging a demonstration on the north side of the White House."

The group allegedly then planned to fly drones "loaded with explosive devices" over the north side of the UFC arena to detonate them.

Once the crowd dispersed, the group allegedly planned to use "snipers and shooters" to "shoot fleeing crowd members and high value targets."

According to the complaint, Proper allegedly told officials he was "not going to the protest in order to shoot people, several other members were intent on violence."

The attack was allegedly talked about as a "jumpstart" to "a revolution" in the United States with the group planned to escape using the Potomac River to an alleged "safe house."

Evidence gathered from Proper's phone allegedly included detailed messages, maps and images of the Capitol area.

Proper allegedly named Sen. Marsha Blackburn as a "possible target," saying, "she's taken money from the pro Israel lobby and supports them."

He also allegedly sent images of four members of Congress: Sen. Jim Justice, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Rep. Carol Miller, and Rep. Riley Moore with information about their pro-Israel PAC funding, stating "these are people we're going to focus on"

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Évian-les-Bains, France, where he was attending the Group of Seven summit, Trump said he had not been briefed on the thwarted plot.

Four others are facing similar charges, including two from California, one from Missouri and one from Nebraska.

According to a federal complaint against Roa, one of the suspects arrested in California, law enforcement served a search warrant at his home where they allegedly found a rifle, handgun, tactical belt, ammunition and a rifle magazine, a two-way radio and an infrared laser target pointer.

A search of his phone allegedly uncovered messages discussing the planned attack as well as videos Roa posted of himself shooting guns.

Thomas, who was also arrested in California, is accused of participating in the group chat, allegedly writing a message, "$1300 gets us the drones and the charges. Yes we should all pitch in and we need it asap…”

Thomas is also accused of establishing "tiers" within the group to carry out the alleged plan.

“Tier one status is not something to take lightly. … We will make sure they have…All the tier 2 support we can provide. We will try to break them out of jail if we need to.” In the same group chats, Thomas discussed meeting with Roa in person in Southern California in order to conduct “marksmen training” and reflected that the group needed to train for “gorilla style warfare.”

A search of Thomas' home led to the seizure of a rifle, 30-round extended magazines for the rifle, 180 of rounds of ammunition, and a pistol.

Eskridge was charged in Missouri for his alleged role, accused of discussing "targets" in the alleged plot allegedly indicating one of the targets was “big and someone a majority of the country knows.”

He also allegedly posted photos of tactical equipment, including a rifle, helmet, and ballistic vest.

Alvarez is facing charges out of Nebraska, identified as one of the individuals in the group chat discussing the alleged attack.

According to the complaint, Alvarez went by "Shepherd" in the chat, and was allegedly responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the planned attack, based on conversation excerpts in June when Shepherd posted, “This is the best action I see. Position your teams in the purple dots (counter sniper and drones) Long range (circled area) (great shot) Easy out into the river.”

Court documents also indicated that Alvarez is accused of discussing specific people in the attack. Investigators believe Alvarez referred to President Trump, Vice President Vance and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as potential targets.

Shepherd also allegedly posted other messages including replying to another member on making drones with explosives, “As many and as deadly as we can get.”; that he was working on drones; and had one drone and was working on more.

Shepherd also allegedly shared photos and directions to a "safe zone" at an old church in Nebraska, allegedly instructing other group members to take back roads or the river to a "pick up location."

According to the US Attorney's Office, if convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.