Five men face federal charges for an alleged conspiracy to kill government officials and attendees of the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14, 2026. The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that the group planned to use armed drones and snipers to target high-value individuals during the mass gathering.
Details of the conspiracy plot
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that the investigation into the plot began on June 10 in the Southern District of Ohio. According to federal complaints, Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, allegedly amassed weapons, ammunition, and tactical gear at his home. Investigators allege Proper identified targets including multiple members of Congress.
Method of planned attack
The group's alleged plan involved flying small drones equipped with explosives over the north side of the UFC arena to force an evacuation. Once the crowd began fleeing, the conspirators intended to use snipers to fire upon "high value targets" within the crowd, according to the DOJ release.
Arrests and identified suspects
The FBI conducted arrests over the weekend across Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California. The identified conspirators include Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Evidence seized during investigation
A search warrant executed at Roa’s residence and vehicle allegedly resulted in the seizure of a rifle, handgun, tactical belt, ammunition, a two-way radio, and an infrared laser target pointer. FBI Director Kash Patel noted that the multi-state operation stopped the planned attacks "cold" before they could be carried out.
Utah local law enforcement roles
As federal investigations continue, Utah's judicial and law enforcement agencies maintain separate specialized functions. The Davis County Attorney’s Office continues to prosecute felony crimes in Davis County and Class A misdemeanors for certain local municipalities, while also managing a Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate claims of factual innocence.
Davis County prosecutorial responsibilities
The office also provides resources for victims of crime and conducts investigations into officer-involved shootings and unattended deaths within the county.
In Wasatch County, Sheriff Jared Rigby continues to lead the sheriff's office under a five-year strategic plan. Rigby, who has served as Sheriff for six years, holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota and serves as the 1st Vice President of the Utah Sheriffs' Association.
The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole has also implemented changes to its public accessibility protocols. Since March 17, 2025, the board's live hearing broadcasts have transitioned to an audio-only format due to ongoing security concerns and the misuse of video recordings.
While certain hearings at the Utah State Correctional Facility remain open for in-person public observation, hearings involving individuals at the Central Utah Correctional Facility or county jails are conducted entirely online.
