A young man from Chicago, aged 20, has been apprehended in connection with a foiled plot to carry out a violent attack during the Freedom 250 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event, which was slated to occur at the White House.
On Thursday, federal prosecutors indicted Alexander Iniguez Mercado. He stands accused of being a key figure—as both an administrator and participant—in Signal messaging groups that were used to orchestrate the planned assault on the June 14 event, as reported by Fox News.
Mercado is among eight individuals from various states who face charges related to this conspiracy.
RECORDS SHOW EXTENSIVE WEAPONRY ALLEGEDLY COLLECTED BY OHIO SUSPECT FOR PLANNED UFC EVENT ASSAULT AT WHITE HOUSE
FILE – The UFC Freedom 250 bouts were held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Jacquelyn Martin- Pool/Getty Images)
According to the indictment, the FBI contacted Mercado by phone just one day before the White House event to discuss online threats.
When a special agent asked if Mercado was planning to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the attack, he allegedly denied the plans and refused to meet with law enforcement.
Immediately after the call, Mercado allegedly uninstalled the Signal app from his phone, rendering the critical message data unavailable to investigators.
FILE – President Donald J. Trump and his family posed for a photo in the Octagon after the UFC lightweight championship fight. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Because of the alleged attempt to destroy evidence, Mercado has also been charged with obstruction of justice, according to the DOJ.
Mercado was taken into custody Thursday and is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Chicago today at 3 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
Tycen Proper’s mom called authorities to alert them to the alleged stockpile. (Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Knox County Sheriff’s Office)
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Hours before the Justice Department confirmed the indictment against Mercado, officials on Friday morning announced the arrest of Ohio teen, Tycen Proper, another suspect in the alleged plot.
Proper, 19, allegedly used $3,000 of his “graduation money” to amass a massive arsenal of weapons and tactical gear before his parents turned him in, News Media previously reported.
His stockpile included an AR-15 rifle, American flag-painted 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to criminal complaints and sheriff’s office reports.
Several firearms were found in Proper’s possession, officials said. (Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Knox County Sheriff’s Office)
In addition to the guns, he allegedly gathered extensive tactical and survival equipment including ballistic plate carriers, a tactical bump helmet, a loaded battle belt, knives, a hatchet and medical trauma gear.
The alleged plot was disrupted after Proper’s mother called 911 to report his online activities and weapons purchases, noting she removed the guns and ammunition from his room.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.