The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that the alleged ringleader of a foiled plot to carry out a mass-casualty attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House is a Mexican national in the country illegally.
According to DHS, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31 (pictured above), of Omaha, Nebraska, planned, organized, and directed the alleged attack. He was arrested by the FBI on June 14 in Omaha. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer against him.
“This illegal alien from Mexico should never have been allowed in our country,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated. “He was the ringleader of a failed terror attack targeting UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. He and his co-conspirators now face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds. He will face justice and swiftly be removed from our country.”
DHS noted that Alvarez entered the United States on a B2 visitor visa and failed to depart before it expired in December 2001. The Obama administration granted him Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2014.
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced federal charges against five men in connection with the alleged conspiracy to attack and kill government officials and others attending the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House grounds on Sunday.
According to the criminal complaints and affidavits filed in multiple federal districts (Southern District of Ohio, Western District of Missouri, District of Nebraska, and Central District of California), the group planned to use explosive-laden drones to target the north side of the arena, forcing an evacuation. They then allegedly intended to deploy snipers to fire on “high value targets” in the fleeing crowd.
The conspirators allegedly communicated in encrypted group chats, discussed acquiring drones and explosives, funding the operation, tactical positioning (including “counter sniper and drones”), training, and fallback plans. Some discussions referenced specific tactics and targets, including members of Congress.
The FBI became aware of the potential threat around June 10 following a tip related to one of the suspects. A multi-state operation led to arrests over the weekend.
The five men charged so far are:
– Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio — Allegedly amassed firearms, ammunition, and tactical gear; identified targets including members of Congress; interviewed by investigators on June 11.
– Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California.
– Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California.
– Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri.
– Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska (alias “Shepherd”) — Identified by the FBI as the individual responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the attack in encrypted chats.
All face charges including conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds. The investigation remains ongoing.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the FBI and partners “will take immediate and aggressive action to identify and prosecute those who incite and plan acts of violence.”
U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II (Southern District of Ohio) noted the investigation began in that district and credited the rapid work of AUSAs and partners across districts.
U.S. Secret Service Director Sean M. Curran emphasized the agency’s priority in protecting the President and White House grounds, highlighting partnerships with DHS, DOJ, FBI, and others.
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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.
