Federal authorities have arrested five individuals in connection with an alleged conspiracy to attack a UFC event attended by President Donald Trump, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The plot, which investigators say was in its early planning stages, involved the potential use of drones and firearms. There is no evidence the suspects reached Washington, D.C., or possessed the necessary explosives to carry out the threat.
Origin of the Investigation
The FBI launched an investigation on June 10, 2024, after receiving a tip from the mother of 19-year-old Tycen Proper. According to court documents, the woman contacted law enforcement out of concern regarding her son’s recent purchase of approximately $3,000 worth of firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear using money he received for his high school graduation.
Agents discovered that Proper and several other individuals had been communicating through an encrypted messaging app called Signal. The group, which reportedly consisted of nearly 20 members, had initially connected in a TikTok group chat titled "Vanguard of the Old."
Details of the Alleged Plot
The criminal complaint alleges that the group discussed targeting a UFC event held at the White House grounds to celebrate President Trump’s 80th birthday. The suspects reportedly shared aerial photographs, maps of the White House, and potential escape routes.
According to federal investigators, the plan involved using drones equipped with explosives to cause chaos, followed by the use of snipers to target attendees. The group allegedly held extremist views, including theories regarding the death of Jeffrey Epstein and the belief that the U.S. government needed to be "dismantled."
Status of the Suspects
The Department of Justice confirmed the arrest of five men:
- Tycen Proper (Ohio)
- Bryan Omar Roa (California)
- Michael Alan Thomas (California)
- Daniel Kenely Eskridge (Missouri)
- Abraham Hermosillo Álvarez (Nebraska)
Proper faces federal conspiracy charges, while the other four suspects are charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Court filings identify Michael Alan Thomas as the group’s "planner and advisor," while Hermosillo Álvarez is accused of distributing operational documents related to the intended attack.
Assessment of the Threat
Despite the concerning nature of the communications, high-ranking officials have emphasized that the threat was not imminent. Vice President JD Vance stated in an interview with Fox News that the suspects had not arrived in Washington and lacked the operational capacity to execute the plan.
"They didn’t even have the drones," Vance noted, emphasizing that the plot was far from a point of execution.
The FBI and the U.S. Secret Service have maintained that the investigation remains active. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges regarding the protection of high-profile political figures, particularly following multiple assassination attempts against Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. Federal agencies continue to monitor threats involving domestic extremist groups that utilize encrypted platforms to coordinate illicit activities.