Bryan Omar Roa (l) and Michael Alan Thomas (r)Photo: U.S. Dept of Justice
Two men from Southern California have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a terror plot targeting a UFC event at the White House.
According to an arrest affidavit first reported by Fox News, Michael Alan Thomas,32, of Pinon Hills and Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa were masterminds behind the plan. Another suspect, Tycen Proper, 19, was arrested in Ohio. Roa and Thomas were arrested on Saturday and have since made their first court appearance.
Thomas reportedly told investigators he believed the U.S. government was controlled by elites who "sacrifice and eat children" and had ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with protection from President Trump.
According to officials, the suspects allegedly planned to use drones equipped with explosives to strike buildings in the vacinity of the event, to spark mass panic and get people to flee the area. Then, a sniper team would shoot those running away. Proper allegedly used $3,000 of graduation money to purchase guns, tactical vests and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
According to court documents, Proper's mother overheard conversations on encrypted chats and phone calls and contacted police.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes field offices in Kansas City, San Diego, and Sacramento, investigated the case. The investigation revealed that the suspects communicated their plans through Discord chats and other messaging platforms, as reported by CBS4.
The plot has raised alarm over potential legal and security challenges, especially concerning the use of drones in high-profile attacks.
Tycen ProperPhoto: Franklin County Jail