Washington: The White House UFC plot case widened on Monday. The US Justice Department announced two more arrests over an alleged plan to attack a mixed martial arts event attended by President Donald Trump.
AP identified the new suspects as William Lee Spartacus Falkner of Washington state and Jordan W. Rincker of Missouri. Both were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, bringing the number of federal defendants to seven.
The Justice Department first announced charges against five men on June 16. Prosecutors said the group allegedly planned to fly drones carrying explosives over the UFC Freedom 250 event on Trump’s 80th birthday. This would have forced an evacuation before snipers fired on fleeing attendees.
The five earlier suspects, aged 19 to 32, were arrested in Ohio, California, Missouri and Nebraska. The event took place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
The Justice Department said Falkner had drone experience and allegedly discussed how to load drones with explosives, configure them and fly them during the attack. Rincker was accused of agreeing to build drone parts.
Read: White House UFC Plot Foiled by FBI With 5 Arrested
Trump attended the White House fights with about 4,000 fans at a temporary arena called “The Claw.” The event was billed as part of the festivities for the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.
AP reported that the FBI disrupted the alleged plot on June 10 after a tip from the mother of 19-year-old Tycen Proper. Authorities said they seized firearms, encrypted communications and surveillance materials from suspects.
