White House Plot Thwarted
Seven charged in multi-state conspiracy to attack White House with drones, snipers
Key Points
Detailed attack plan: prosecutors describe a strategy to strike the north side of a UFC arena temporarily built on the White House lawn with explosives-laden drones, forcing attendees to flee south toward gunmen while snipers targeted the panicked crowd to maximize casualties and pursue the goal of overthrowing the government.
Tycen Proper’s role and the FBI’s trigger for the probe: 19-year-old Tycen Proper from Danville, Ohio reportedly told investigators he belonged to the conspirators’ group planning the attack, and the investigation began after Proper’s mother alerted authorities about concerning weapons purchases and online activity.
3D printer and cash for the operation: Jordan Rincker allegedly accepted $1,200 in cash to pay others involved, and investigators say a 3D printer was supplied to someone in the group to print drones; Rincker is also accused of providing a 12-gauge shotgun.
Falkner’s communications and intent: William Falkner engaged in Telegram exchanges about obtaining and operating drones and discussing explosive capabilities; prosecutors say he noted, 'This ain’t gonna be a false flag like the last 10 attempts on his life.'
Seven defendants across multiple states: the case has grown to seven men charged in WA, MO, OH, CA, NE and other states, with arrests spanning June 10 to June 21; additional named defendant include Daniel Eskridge of Kidder, Missouri.
Federal prosecutors have charged seven men with conspiracy to commit murder in a plot to attack the White House during the UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14 — a plan that included explosive-laden drones, pre-positioned snipers, and a goal of overthrowing the U.S. government. The event, held on the South Lawn for roughly 4,300 guests, proceeded without incident after investigators disrupted the cell before it could act, according to Department of Justice.
Arrests stretched from June 10 to June 21, spanning Washington, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, and California. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the DOJ took "immediate and aggressive action" against those plotting harm on White House grounds. FBI Director Kash Patel credited a "multi-state operation" with stopping the attack before it began.
Drones, Snipers, and a 'Hammer and Anvil' Kill Plan
Prosecutors describe a two-step attack strategy. First, conspirators planned to detonate explosives-laden drones on the north side of the temporary UFC arena. The blast and chaos would force the crowd south — directly into the sights of pre-positioned sniper teams. The goal was to maximize casualties and create enough disruption to topple the government, according to Forbes.
Court documents list high-value targets including President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu, and several members of Congress, according to CBS News. Defendants also discussed anti-jamming measures and fiber-optic drone controls to evade electronic countermeasures. Telegram logs show alleged drone lead William Falkner arguing "the more drones the better," according to the Tacoma News Tribune.
A Mother's Tip Cracked the Entire Multi-State Cell
The FBI probe began on June 10 when Tycen Proper's mother called Ohio authorities. She reported her 19-year-old son's firearms purchases and talk of "missions." Proper was arrested the same day and told investigators he belonged to an online extremist group called the "Vanguard of the Old," which had formed on TikTok and encrypted apps as early as March 2026, according to TribLIVE.
FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces then moved quickly across several states. By June 15–16, prosecutors had charged Proper, Daniel Eskridge, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, Bryan Omar Roa, and Michael Alan Thomas. William Falkner was arrested June 19 in Belfair, Washington. Jordan Rincker was arrested June 21 in St. Joseph, Missouri, according to the Missourinet.
Seven Defendants and the Roles They Each Played
Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, allegedly led the group under the alias "Shepherd." He supplied tactical gear and a 3D printer to the cell, according to the Lynnwood Times. Alvarez also allegedly gave Jordan Rincker, 28, $1,200 in cash to pay other members. Rincker is also accused of supplying a 12-gauge shotgun. Bryan Roa, 24, of California, reportedly accepted $100 via CashApp to drive the drone operator to Washington, D.C., according to Department of Justice.
William Falkner, 21, served as the alleged drone technical lead. In Telegram messages, he discussed explosive payloads and wrote, "This ain't gonna be a false flag like the last 10 attempts on his life," according to WFIN. Daniel Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri, allegedly procured tactical vests, helmets, and firearms. Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California, is charged as a broader co-conspirator.
Drone Security Gap Exposed at America's Most Guarded Address
Counter-terrorism analysts say the plot reveals a serious weakness in domestic security. 3D-printed drones are difficult to detect with standard metal scanners. The conspirators also discussed fiber-optic controls and anti-jamming tech to evade electronic defenses, according to Fox Business. The Secret Service is now expected to review its approach to small aerial threats.
The group was driven by a mix of grievances: anger over the Jeffrey Epstein files, U.S. support for Israel, and concerns about data centers, according to Forbes. The case involves 3D printing, Signal-style encrypted apps, and remote coordination across at least five states. Legal experts say it may set a new benchmark for domestic terrorism prosecutions, according to the Lynnwood Times.
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