CHICAGO — In a serious development, a Chicago resident has been indicted on federal charges of obstructing justice related to a supposed scheme targeting a UFC event at the White House.
The accused, Alexander Iniguez Mercado, a 20-year-old from Chicago, allegedly participated as both an administrator and a member in groups on the messaging app Signal. According to the indictment, these groups reportedly involved individuals discussing plans of an assault aimed at the UFC event scheduled at the White House on June 14.
The records indicate that an FBI agent engaged Mercado in a phone conversation the day before the planned UFC event. During the call, Mercado supposedly refuted any intention to travel to Washington D.C. for involvement in the alleged plot and is accused of deleting the Signal app from his device, rendering its data inaccessible.
After being taken into custody on Thursday, Mercado could potentially face up to a 20-year prison sentence if found guilty on the charge of obstruction of justice.
Mercado’s initial appearance is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Two days after the event, federal authorities announced charges against Tycen Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Most are accused of gathering weapons and planning spots around Washington D.C. to potentially shoot victims. On Monday, federal authorities announced two more arrests in the case.
William Falkner, of Washington state, is accused of conspiring to procure and fly explosive-laden drones around the event. Jordan Rincker, of St. Joseph, Missouri allegedly possessed the materials and agreed to produce the drones.
The FBI and Secret Service are investigating the case.