The FBI has arrested two more suspects in connection with an alleged plot to attack government officials and attendees at a UFC event held at the White House earlier this month, the Justice Department announced Monday.
Federal authorities said William Lee Spartacus Falkner was arrested in Washington state on Friday. Jordan W. Rincker was arrested in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Sunday.
Both were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and made their initial court appearances Monday. The latest arrests bring the total number of defendants charged in the case to seven.
The arrests are the latest development in what prosecutors describe as a wide-ranging plan to carry out a mass-casualty attack during the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, held on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
According to the Justice Department, Falkner allegedly conspired with others to procure and operate explosive-laden drones, while Rincker allegedly possessed weapons and agreed to manufacture drone parts intended for use in the plot.
The case stems from an FBI investigation launched after authorities received information about a group allegedly planning to target government officials and other attendees at the event. Prosecutors say the suspects discussed using drones armed with explosives and deploying snipers to fire on fleeing crowds.