FBI foils explosive drone plot targeting White House UFC event

• Five suspects arrested; Ohio teen faces federal terrorism-related charges
• Investigators say group used encrypted platforms and shared extremist views
• Authorities disrupted plot before anniversary event attended by President Trump

The FBI has disrupted an alleged domestic terror plot targeting the "UFC Freedom 250" matches held on the grounds of the White House on Sunday.

The plan involved explosive-laden drones designed to hit area buildings, initiate a mass evacuation, and draw crowds toward a targeted security checkpoint for a secondary attack.

Five individuals are in custody as of Tuesday morning, according to federal authorities.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship event took place on the evening of past Sunday, June 14.

Billed as a national celebration for America's 250th anniversary, the gathering also coincided with the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump, who was in attendance.

Charges unsealed against Ohio teen

Federal prosecutors unsealed a criminal complaint on Tuesday charging 19-year-old Tycen Proper of Ohio with conspiring against the United States, attempted murder of an officer of the United States, and firearms violations.

Proper has not yet entered a plea, and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The investigation began on June 10 when officers with the Knox County Sheriff's Office and the Danville Police Department were dispatched to Proper's home.

His mother had raised concerns regarding his recent actions, including weapons purchases and suspicious online communications.

Proper's parents told officers that their son had recently met individuals online, planned reconnaissance missions, and intended to meet them over the weekend of June 13.

According to the complaint, Proper used approximately $3,000 of high school graduation money to acquire camping gear, food, ballistic plates, a new shotgun, a rifle, and a large volume of ammunition.

Antigovernment motives

Proper's mother told investigators that her son was interacting online with an ultra-religious, antigovernment group whose members claimed to be ex-military.

The group expressed specific grievances regarding government corruption, the handling of the Epstein files, and data centers consuming local water supplies.

She also witnessed her son engaging in physical training and overheard him describing "recon" and "hit and run" operations. Proper subsequently quit his job to prepare for the deployment.

During an interview at a medical facility on June 11, Proper admitted to plotting a coordinated attack at the White House sports event.

He told investigators that his group believed the United States needed to be torn down and rebuilt to spark a revolution.

Proper planned to drive to Fredericksburg, Virginia, with an AR-15 rifle, ammunition, and body armor to meet other members who were intent on violence.

Following the interview, Proper was transported to a local hospital, where officials submitted an application for psychiatric admission based on homicidal ideations.

Political targets

A forensic review of Proper's cellphone uncovered Signal chat logs detailing preoperational plans.

Cell data confirmed that some conspirators traveled to Fredericksburg on June 12 or June 13.

The encrypted threads outlined specific escape and evasion resources, safe house locations, and a plan to flee from the White House to the Potomac River.

In the chats, Proper identified Senator Marsha Blackburn as a specific target due to her support for 'Israel'.

He also shared images of several other politicians, including Senator Jim Justice, Senator Shelly Moore Capito, Representative Carol Miller, and Representative Riley Moore.

Federal response

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the rapid action of the bureau and its partners, describing the response as a successful multi-state operation. "We are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens," Patel said.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security had issued a joint bulletin earlier this month warning that the high-profile fight night represented an attractive symbolic target, though no credible threats were known at the time of the release.

Federal law strictly prohibits flying unmanned aircraft systems within the airspace over the National Capital Region.

Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Tara McLeese noted that while law enforcement deployed overwatch drones for event security, any unauthorized public drone sightings should be reported immediately.