Two More Arrested in Alleged Plot to Attack White House UFC Event

Federal authorities have arrested two additional suspects in Missouri and Washington state in connection with what prosecutors say was a planned attack targeting a UFC event held at the White House earlier this month, officials said. The arrests of William Lee Spartacus Falkner, 28, of Belfair, Washington, and Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of Missouri bring the expanding federal case to multiple defendants accused of participating in what authorities describe as a coordinated conspiracy disrupted just days before the June 14 event on the White House South Lawn. Falkner was arrested Friday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, according to court filings in the Western District of Washington. Rincker was arrested Sunday on the same charge in the Western District of Missouri. Neither man has entered a plea, and court records do not show whether Rincker has obtained legal representation. A lawyer for Falkner did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “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,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. According to court documents, federal investigators first learned of a potential threat on June 10, four days before the high-profile mixed martial arts event attended by President Donald Trump. The Justice Department said five individuals were initially arrested in connection with the alleged plot, which officials say involved extremist rhetoric, encrypted communications and plans to use drones and firearms to carry out an attack and then flee the area. Authorities said the investigation began after the mother of an Ohio man alerted police over concerns about his firearm purchases and online activity. That man, 19-year-old Tycen Proper, has been charged with firearms offenses and attempted murder of a federal officer or employee. Prosecutors allege Proper told investigators he was part of a group discussing plans for violence intended to “trigger a revolution” and target government officials. He is accused in court documents of describing plans to use drone-delivered explosives and open fire on attendees as they fled the scene. His attorney said in a statement that he “appreciates the serious nature of the charges” and will respond in court. Investigators said they recovered high-powered weapons and reviewed encrypted messages among roughly 20 participants, including references to maps of the Washington area, aerial imagery, potential safe houses and escape routes. It remains unclear how close the alleged plan came to being carried out. Court documents indicate some individuals questioned by investigators said they did not intend to commit violence themselves, instead describing their roles as observers or supporters. Others suggested they were exploring protest activity but became entangled in the broader group discussions. Prosecutors allege Rincker distributed cash within the group and accepted items including weapons, a 3D printer and computer equipment, which authorities say were intended to support drone-related components. Rincker allegedly told investigators he did not intend to build weapons and wanted the printer for crafting purposes, according to an FBI affidavit. Falkner, according to investigators, communicated about drone capabilities and tactics and later sent a message referencing the arrests, writing, “Work trip is canceled. My boss got picked up,” along with a news link detailing the earlier detentions. The investigation remains ongoing.