The FBI has revealed more suspects related to a conspiracy aimed at the UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C., following the unsealing of court documents on Monday in the Western District of Missouri.
The fresh criminal complaint identifies Jordan W. Rinker from Missouri as a participant in the conspiracy, increasing the publicly known number of defendants to six. Five individuals were indicted in mid-June related to this alleged plot.
Officials reported that the conspiracy involved plans to use drones loaded with explosives to target buildings near the event, resulting in mass evacuations and leading crowds towards pre-placed sniper teams.
FBI sources indicated there was also a “second wave” intended to breach the gates of the White House.
Prosecutors noted that the individuals involved first interacted through a TikTok community called “Vanguard of the Old” around March, where they exchanged training videos and tactical advice before moving to encrypted chats on Signal.
The new indictment alleges that the conspirators intended to commit murders on the White House premises and nearby areas during the UFC Freedom 250 event, with the conspiracy reportedly ongoing from about March until June 21.
Federal agents claim they gathered firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear in preparation for the planned attack. Theisen Proper allegedly obtained multiple boxes of ammunition, a plate carrier, a rifle, and tactical clothing, while Daniel Eskridge reportedly acquired several firearms, a helmet, and body armor.
According to the complaint, Eskridge is also suspected of sharing images of tactical gear, including rifles and helmets, with co-conspirators via the SimpleX platform in May.
Another suspect, Brian Omar Rohr, was documented conducting firearms training in a secluded area.
Prosecutors assert that Rinker had a logistical role in the operation. The complaint claims he accepted $1,200 in cash from co-defendant Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, sent $100 to Brian Omar Loar to cover his travel from California to Washington, and handed Alvarez a pump-action shotgun during a meeting.
Additionally, it’s alleged that Loar began his journey from California to Washington on June 11 with intentions to join the attack.
Things reportedly shifted when the mother of the 19-year-old defendant, Proper, provided intel to the FBI.
The seizure of Proper’s phone assisted investigators in uncovering further members of the alleged group.
Authorities indicated that the network stretched beyond the five initially charged. Proper’s phone revealed a main Signal chat with about 19 alleged participants and smaller operational groups categorized by role and location.
There have been reports of rising tensions among federal agencies regarding the decision to make this investigation public.
Two senior U.S. officials mentioned that leaders within the Secret Service preferred to hold off on disclosing the investigation until more arrests could be executed, worried that premature announcements might alert other suspects and disrupt ongoing efforts.
