New Arrests Reveal The Full Scope Of The White House UFC Terror Plot

The FBI arrested two more men accused of plotting to conduct a terror plot at the UFC Freedom 250 event, including one suspect investigators said had experience piloting drones. 

The Justice Department announced Monday that William Lee Spartacus Falkner and Jordan Rincker had been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The alleged plot was supposed to involve setting off explosive-carrying drones to cause panic before snipers would open fire and target certain political figures. 

Falkner was arrested Friday in Washington and made his first court appearance in Tacoma on Monday while Rincker was arrested on Sunday and made his first court appearance on Monday in Kansas City. 

“Law enforcement continues to do what it does — move to disrupt and hold accountable those allegedly plotting to do harm on the White House Grounds on June 14,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Each and every day, the FBI and their federal, state and local law enforcement partners, along with U.S. Attorneys offices across the country, safeguard American communities and our nation’s security.”  

The plot, which the FBI says was masterminded by an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was uncovered after one of the suspects’ moms called local law enforcement about concerns she had about plans her 19-year-old son was making. Eventually, investigators gained access to multiple group chats where the attack was discussed and planned. 

Communications reviewed by investigators revealed that Falkner had experience in making and piloting drones and that he discussed loading them with explosives, according to the Justice Department. After the arrest of several over the plot last week, investigators said Falkner and others canceled a “work trip” they had been discussing. 

Rincker, 28, is accused of accepting $1,200 in cash from Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, the alleged illegal immigrant ringleader, to make payments to others involved in the plot. Some of the money was supposed to go toward paying for gas for another suspect to go pick up the drone operator before traveling to Washington, D.C., for the attack. 

Investigators said that Rincker met with Alvarez in Omaha, Nebraska, and gave him a 12-gauge shotgun in exchange for a ballistic plate, face shield, 3D printer, 3D printing filament, night vision goggles, binoculars, and a minicomputer.

“These arrests are the latest result of the FBI, teaming up with our great partners, to identify and apprehend those who allegedly wanted to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event — a threat this FBI and our partners prevented,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.