The FBI just released the mugshots of the five suspects arrested in connection with an alleged plot to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House with explosive-laden drones, and let's just say these masterminds don't exactly scream "criminal genius." The Justice Department unsealed charges against the group, which allegedly planned a multi-pronged assault involving sniper teams, a drone bombing, and a second wave to storm the White House gates.
Nothing says "well-thought-out plan" like texting your co-conspirators about buying drones on what appears to be a group chat the FBI was reading. Brilliant.
The five suspects now in custody include Tycen Proper, a 19-year-old from Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas, both from Southern California; Daniel Eskridge; and Abraham Alvarez, who allegedly went by the handle "Shepherd" — because apparently even aspiring domestic terrorists need cool nicknames. According to 100 Percent Fed Up and Fox News Digital, authorities identified a network of up to 23 people potentially connected to the plot.
The details from the court filings read like a bad action movie written by someone who's never actually seen one. Michael Thomas allegedly messaged the group on June 7: "$1300 gets us the drones and the charges. Yes we should all pitch in." Eskridge laid out plans for "5 teams of 3 each team consisting of 1 sniper, 1 tier one operator." And Alvarez — our self-appointed "Shepherd" — allegedly mapped out attack positions and told the group he wanted drones that were "as many and as deadly as we can get."
These people were shopping for weapons of mass destruction like they were splitting the check at Applebee's.
The FBI first learned of the threat on June 10, just four days before the scheduled UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14. Proper was interviewed at a medical facility on June 11, and by June 13, search warrants were being executed across multiple states. When agents searched Thomas's belongings, they found 180 rounds of ammunition and 30-round extended magazines. Proper had allegedly spent $3,000 on ammunition and guns, acquiring thousands of rounds and two plate carriers.
Alvarez allegedly designated a Nebraska church as a "safe zone" and pointed to Fredericksburg, Virginia as a rendezvous point before the planned assault. The group allegedly planned to cause a mass evacuation and then launch the second phase — storming the White House gate while chaos unfolded. Their targets reportedly included multiple U.S. Senators, Representatives, and business executives attending the event.
The charges are as serious as the plot was stupid. Eskridge faces conspiracy to commit murder on White House grounds, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Others face conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds, carrying up to 5 years. Cases are being handled across the Southern District of Ohio, the Western District of Missouri, the District of Nebraska, and the Central District of California. Proper was arrested in Cincinnati, while Roa and Thomas appeared in court in Riverside.
Vice President JD Vance commented on the FBI's successful disruption of the plot, and thank God they got there in time. Say what you want about the Bureau's recent track record — when it comes to stopping people who literally text each other their attack plans, even the FBI can get it done.
Five mugshots. Five idiots. Zero successful attacks. That's the only acceptable score.