Justice Department Charges Two More in Alleged Plot to Attack White House UFC Event
Sandego.net – The U.S. Department of Justice has charged two additional individuals in a case tied to an alleged scheme to target the UFC White House fight that occurred in early June. These new arrests offer further details about the group’s preparations and the potential threat posed to the event, which was attended by prominent political figures and drew widespread media attention.
Initial Arrests and Confessions
One of the newly charged suspects, Jordan Rincker, was apprehended at his mother’s residence in Missouri on Sunday. During his interrogation, Rincker allegedly claimed he had “armed a terrorist,” according to the latest criminal complaint filed by prosecutors. He reportedly gave a firearm to another defendant in exchange for a computer, a 3D printer, and money, which he used to help construct explosive-laden drones. However, Rincker later told investigators he had no actual knowledge of building drones and had not stored any explosives, stating he was merely “along for the ride” and had been misled about the plan’s specifics.
“I feel like I armed a terrorist,” Rincker allegedly told law enforcement, adding that he had provided a shotgun to the group’s leader, Abraham Alvarez, as part of the arrangement.
Meanwhile, William Lee Spartacus Falkner, another suspect, shared detailed conversations in a group chat with other defendants. Falkner discussed strategies for modifying drones to carry explosives and emphasized the need for specific models that could not be jammed by law enforcement. He also outlined the logistics of purchasing drones and other components, estimating costs at “200-300 dollars per drone” if the operation was to be executed thoroughly.
Planned Use of Drones and Snipers
According to the complaint, Falkner and Rincker discussed plans to deploy drones equipped with explosives alongside snipers to execute the attack. The group’s strategy reportedly included using drones to infiltrate the venue and snipers to provide cover fire, creating a coordinated threat. Falkner also claimed he could control over 40 drones simultaneously, though the complaint does not confirm whether he actually possessed any drones or explosives at the time.
“We’re looking at 200-300 dollars per drone if you want this done right,” Falkner allegedly said, specifying the need for drones capable of carrying “at least 12 pounds” of payload.
Falkner’s messages included a warning about the timeline for the attack. In early June, a group member reportedly informed the team that they had only a week before the UFC event to acquire drones. Falkner responded by stating they already had five drones and suggested a budget of 200-300 dollars each for the operation. He also advised selecting drones with advanced capabilities, including resistance to remote jamming.
Communication and Caution
Falkner’s social media activity also revealed his awareness of the group’s progress. After the FBI announced initial arrests last week, he shared a message on Instagram: “Work trip is canceled. My boss got picked up,” accompanied by a link to a news article about the arrests. He then added, “In the article I sent you, it mentions the involvement of everyone but me and the people you already know. Because we took precautions. My phone is jailbroken, btw.”
“We didn’t trust my boss to do this right going into everything,” Falkner allegedly wrote, suggesting the group had grown skeptical of their leader’s reliability. “We all felt something was going wrong.”
Other messages from Falkner indicated the group’s level of coordination. He described how the team had planned to use PVC pipes for drone construction and mentioned his own role as a “manufacturer” for the operation. However, Rincker reportedly admitted to providing false information to the group, saying he had only given them “bullsh*t ideas” to make them believe he was building drones. He claimed the plan was to keep the 3D printer and pocket the money, while the explosives were still in the works.
Link to Broader Threat
The complaint also suggests the group’s intentions extended beyond the UFC event. Rincker allegedly disclosed Alvarez’s proposal to attack a FIFA World Cup game in Missouri in early July, indicating a possible pattern of planning. This revelation raises questions about the scope of the threat and whether the attack on the White House event was part of a larger strategy.
Rincker’s initial appearance in federal court on Monday followed his arrest, as did Falkner’s. Both were questioned about their involvement in the alleged plot, with Rincker expressing surprise at the level of suspicion surrounding him. “I’m a real idiot for not stepping aside the moment he said what he wanted,” he reportedly told investigators, implying he had not fully understood the plan until it was too late.
Timeline and Security Measures
The UFC event, held on June 18, was a high-profile gathering that had already prompted heightened security measures. Organizers had anticipated potential threats, deploying surveillance and checkpoints to monitor attendees. The alleged plot to use drones and snipers suggests the attackers aimed to exploit vulnerabilities in the event’s security, possibly through a combination of aerial and ground-based attacks.
Law enforcement officials have not yet confirmed whether any explosives were found during the investigation. However, Rincker’s possession of a 3D printer and the group’s focus on acquiring drones point to a level of preparedness. Alvarez, who is alleged to be the group’s leader, reportedly provided Rincker with tools and equipment to support the plan, including a Mac minicomputer and night vision goggles.
CNN has contacted the attorneys of both Rincker and Falkner for comment. The case continues to unfold, with prosecutors seeking to determine the full extent of the group’s preparations and whether their actions could have been more extensive. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on how far the suspects had come in executing their plan and the potential risks they posed to the White House event and other targets.
