Two additional individuals have been arrested in connection with a plot to attack President Donald Trump's UFC cage-fighting event held at the White House on June 14, according to court documents. Law enforcement officials disrupted the alleged plan days before the event.
William Lee Spartacus Falkner, of Belfair, Washington, was arrested Friday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Jordan W. Rincker, 28, was arrested Sunday and charged with the same offense in the Western District of Missouri. Neither suspect has entered a plea, and court records do not indicate if they have secured legal representation.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that 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."
Law enforcement became aware of the potential threat on June 10, four days prior to the mixed martial arts event on the White House's South Lawn. The Justice Department had previously announced federal charges against five individuals from various states, including Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California. These latest arrests raise the total number of individuals facing federal charges to seven.
Officials allege that the group harbored extreme conspiracy theories and intended for the attack to destabilize the government. The investigation began when the mother of an Ohio man contacted police due to concerns about his recent firearms purchases and online communications, according to an FBI affidavit.
The 19-year-old Ohio man, Tycen Proper, reportedly told investigators that he was part of a group aiming to incite a revolution and target government officials. Their plan, as described to investigators, involved using drones laden with explosives to attack the event and then shooting fleeing attendees. Proper faces charges including attempted murder of a U.S. officer or employee, along with firearms offenses.
Proper's attorney, Joe Patituce, stated that his client "appreciates the serious nature of the charges currently pending against him and will address them appropriately in court at the right time."
Investigators recovered high-powered firearms from several suspects and reviewed encrypted text messages between approximately 20 participants. These messages included detailed maps and aerial photographs of the event area, as well as discussions about the need for a safe house and escape routes. However, the court records do not specify how close the alleged attackers came to executing their plan before it was interrupted.
Some questioned individuals indicated they did not intend to carry out violence themselves but planned to observe others. One stated he intended to attend as a protester but had to return home due to vehicle malfunction. Although the group discussed using explosive-laden drones, charging documents suggest they were still in the process of acquiring such equipment when the plot was discovered.
Prosecutors allege that Rincker distributed cash to some members of the conspiracy and accepted items including weapons, a 3D printer, and a computer, agreeing to produce drone parts. According to an FBI affidavit, Rincker told an investigator that he did not intend to help build drones with the printer, but rather wanted it to create and sell crafts.
An FBI affidavit states that Falkner communicated with other group members regarding his ability to procure and operate drones, as well as tactics and explosives for the plot. After news of the disrupted plan emerged, Falkner reportedly texted another group member, stating, "Work trip is canceled. My boss got picked up," and shared a link to an article about the initial arrests.