Five men have been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged plan to attack the UFC event at the White House with drones carrying explosives, according to federal officials on Tuesday.
The alleged perpetrators face federal charges including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder of federal officials, and firearms offenses.
Tycen Proper, 19, of Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of California; Daniel Eskridge, 32, of Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Nebraska allegedly conspired to plan and execute a mass casualty event targeting U.S. officials who attended the event, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the agency first became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event 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.
The temporary arena built for the event could seat up to 4,300 spectators, along with an octagon stage for the fighters.
President Donald Trump, a longtime fan, attended the seven-fight series dubbed UFC Freedom 250 on his 80th birthday.
When asked at the G-7 summit in France about the alleged plot, Trump said he hadn’t heard about it.
“The attack that I watched was the fighters,” Trump said.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran also issued a statement Tuesday, saying special agents “worked around the clock” in the days leading up to the weekend of the big event.
“Our most important responsibility is safeguarding the President and every person under Secret Service protection,” Director Sean Curran said in a statement.
If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. According to the DOJ, conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.