The Trump administration has released new information about the man federal authorities describe as the alleged ringleader of a foiled plot targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14.
According to Department of Homeland Security officials, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, is a Mexican national who allegedly overstayed a B-2 visitor visa after entering the United States as a child. DHS officials told Fox News Digital that Alvarez later received deportation relief under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2014 after failing to leave the country when his visa expired in 2001.
Federal authorities allege Alvarez played a central role in organizing a planned mass-casualty attack targeting the White House event, which drew thousands of attendees and featured President Donald Trump and other high-profile government officials.
“This illegal alien from Mexico should never have been allowed in our country,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. “He was the ringleader of a failed terror attack targeting UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.”
“He will face justice and swiftly be removed from our country,” Bis added.
The Justice Department announced Tuesday that five men have been charged in connection with the alleged plot. Prosecutors claim the group planned to use drones equipped with explosives to trigger an evacuation from the event before deploying snipers to fire on fleeing attendees and designated “high-value targets.” Federal investigators also allege the conspirators discussed a “second wave” attack involving an assault on White House security checkpoints after the initial chaos began.
According to court documents and a Department of Justice press release, Alvarez allegedly used the online alias “Shepherd” and was responsible for “planning, organizing, and directing” the operation. Investigators say that when another member asked how many explosive drones should be built, Alvarez allegedly replied, “As many and as deadly as we can get.”
Authorities further claim Alvarez stated he had access to a functioning drone that could be used during the attack.
The FBI arrested Alvarez in Omaha, Nebraska, on the day of the event. Following his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer against him. Court records identified Alvarez as a foreign national after he consented to consular notification procedures following his arrest.
Federal prosecutors have charged Alvarez and the other defendants with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds. If convicted, the suspects could face life in prison on the murder conspiracy charge, along with additional penalties for planning violence on federal property.
The FBI says the investigation began after the mother of one of the alleged co-conspirators contacted law enforcement with concerns about her son’s increasingly extremist behavior and weapons accumulation. That tip ultimately led investigators to a broader network of individuals communicating through encrypted messaging platforms and social media channels.
According to court filings, investigators have identified as many as 23 individuals who participated in the alleged planning network. However, only five arrests have been publicly announced so far, and authorities have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing.
Federal authorities allege the group was motivated by a mix of anti-government grievances, including concerns about government corruption, the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related records, water usage by data centers, and what members viewed as excessive foreign influence in American politics.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche praised federal law enforcement agencies for disrupting the alleged plot before it could advance further.
“The FBI, our law enforcement partners and our U.S. Attorneys did what they do every day to make America safe through quick response and vigilance in investigating, disrupting and dismantling this alleged plan before it could be carried out,” Blanche said in a Justice Department statement. “We will take immediate and aggressive action to identify and prosecute those who incite and plan acts of violence.”
Vice President JD Vance emphasized that authorities intercepted the conspiracy before it became operational, telling reporters this week that the plans were “not that advanced” and that the suspects were not in Washington during the event itself.
UFC President Dana White also acknowledged that multiple threats emerged surrounding the historic event, which was held on the White House South Lawn as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
“These are the kind of events that bring the nuts out,” White said. “This is normal stuff.”
White later praised federal authorities for their response, saying he was kept informed in real time as security agencies monitored potential threats.
The White House event ultimately proceeded without incident under extensive federal security measures. Officials have not disclosed whether additional arrests are expected, but the Justice Department says the investigation remains active.
