FBI Uncovers More Suspects in UFC Freedom 250 Conspiracy
The FBI has revealed two more individuals linked to an alleged conspiracy aimed at the UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C. This brings the total number of publicly identified suspects to seven.
Recent court documents unsealed identify Jordan W. Rinker from Missouri and William Lee Spartacus Faulkner from Washington state as suspected participants in the plot. Prosecutors maintain that Rinker was involved in funding and facilitating actions, while Faulkner reportedly discussed obtaining and operating drones intended for the attacks.
In recent days, five other suspects have been charged. Investigators allege that the group planned to utilize explosive drones at the June 14 event to incite mass chaos, directing the fleeing crowd toward pre-positioned gunmen. FBI officials previously indicated that another wave of attacks was likely aimed at the White House gates.
Details of the Conspiracy
The complaint from Washington state claims that Faulkner took part in a Telegram chat about drone operations on June 7, sharing detailed information with alleged co-conspirators regarding drone acquisition, tactics, and explosives use.
Prosecutors allege Faulkner pushed for more drones, emphasizing that “the more drones, the better.” They claim the group discussed various technical aspects including payload capacity, anti-jamming features, and how many drones would be necessary for an attack.
Furthermore, it’s alleged that Faulkner had access to a drone capable of carrying significant explosives, and coordinated its acquisition with other group members.
Faulkner reportedly also engaged in a Telegram channel named “D Ops,” focusing on drone operation conspiracies. In one message, a co-conspirator suggested an imminent attack timeline, stating they were “up to seven days” away from executing their plans and discussed acquiring several drones for the purpose.
No images of the new suspects were available right away.
Documents also hint that investigators are exploring whether the group had discussed potential attacks on the FIFA World Cup match planned for July 3 in Kansas City, Missouri. FBI agents noted that the alleged ringleader, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, mentioned this in messages urging co-conspirators to prepare for travel around the July 4 holiday.
Prosecutors assert that the conspirators met as far back as March through a TikTok community called “Vanguard of the Old,” where they shared tactical training videos and later transitioned to encrypted chats via Signal.
According to an indictment, members of this conspiracy had allegedly planned to commit acts of violence on the White House grounds during the UFC Freedom 250 event, with activities noted to span from around March until June 21.
Federal agents have indicated that the suspects acquired firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear in preparation for the attack.
Reports indicate that Rinker played a logistical role, allegedly receiving $1,200 in cash from co-defendant Alvarez, sending $100 to finance another suspect’s travel from California to Washington, and even handing Alvarez a shotgun during a meeting.
Moreover, Lore is said to have begun his journey from California to Washington on June 11 to take part in the alleged attack.
Interestingly, the plan encountered complications after the mother of a 19-year-old suspect, Proper, informed the FBI about the conspiracy, leading to the investigation picking up steam.
Investigators pointed out that Proper’s phone revealed a larger network, with a main Signal chat involving about 19 suspected participants and smaller operational groups based on specific roles.
Tensions have reportedly arisen among federal agencies regarding the decision to make this information public. Secret Service leaders expressed concerns over revealing the investigation prematurely, suggesting it might alert other potential targets.
FBI Deputy Director Chris Reier mentioned that initial arrests focused on the most dangerous members of the alleged conspiracy, while subsequent arrests might delve into individuals with lesser roles. He emphasized that proactive measures were taken to ensure the safety of the event.
