The FBI has arrested two more men allegedly involved in the plot to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.
William Lee Spartacus Falkner of Washington state was arrested on June 19, and Jordan Rincker of Missouri was arrested on June 21, according to the FBI.
Both men have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
A total of seven men have been arrested and charged in connection with the plot.
The FBI first became aware of a potential threat to the mixed martial arts cagefight in Washington, D.C., on June 10, four days before the martial arts show was held on the South Lawn of the White House.
The alleged perpetrators communicated about their plot through an encrypted app.
According to the criminal complaint, Falkner had experience building and operating drones. In communicating with other suspects, Falkner allegedly discussed equipping drones with explosives and configuring them for maximum damage.
The perpetrators had planned to fly the explosive-laden drones to detonate above the north side of the UFC arena, creating panic and forcing “high value targets” to evacuate toward the opposite side. The alleged perpetrators then planned to position themselves to open fire on the crowd with sniper rifles and other weapons.
Court documents state that Rincker accepted $1,200 in cash from a co-conspirator to disperse payment to other perpetrators involved in the plot.
Rincker also allegedly gave a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, night vision goggles, a face shield, and other items to another co-conspirator during an in-person meeting in Omaha. Investigators later found
President Donald Trump, a longtime UFC fan, attended the seven-fight series on his 80th birthday, along with other members of his administration.
One of those arrested said the conspiracy was designed to sow chaos and spark the overthrow of the U.S. government.
If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.