Inland Empire – Two men from Southern California—Michael Alan Thomas, 32, and Bryan Omar Roa, 24—were arrested Saturday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder in an alleged antigovernment plot tied to the UFC event held on the White House lawn last weekend. Federal fili
On the day before a UFC event on the White House lawn, federal agents say they arrested two men from Southern California tied to what prosecutors describe as an antigovernment plot to kill government officials and others at the cage-fighting show.
Michael Alan Thomas, 32, was arrested Saturday in San Bernardino County’s Piñon Hills and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. About 50 miles south, Bryan Omar Roa, 24, was arrested in Riverside County’s Calimesa and also charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Both men appeared in U.S. District Court in Riverside on Monday and were ordered jailed without bond. Roa’s arraignment is scheduled for July 7, and Thomas’ arraignment is scheduled for July 21. According to jail records, both Roa and Thomas are being held in San Bernardino County jail.
The case centers on what federal investigators say they uncovered through messages, interviews, and searches tied to an alleged scheme that authorities say was linked to the days leading up to UFC Freedom 250.
Court filings describe a virtual relationship between Thomas and Roa. In messages exchanged on an encrypted messaging application called SimpleX. they communicated in a chatroom titled “Vanguard of the Old Republic.” The complaint says Thomas told Roa. “up the hill behind LA. ” clarifying he was in Piñon Hills. while Roa responded that he was in Yucaipa—near Calimesa.
Investigators said the two had been in touch about a week before the UFC fight was scheduled. and that they met up at least once in the last month to practice marksmanship and tactics. The men were linked to the plot after a relative of an alleged co-conspirator—Tycen C. Proper, of Danville, Ohio—alerted authorities, according to the complaint. Proper, 19, was identified as part of the plot through social media usernames shared with investigators.
Thomas, according to the complaint, admitted to helping plan the attack and encouraging others to join. In an interview with FBI agents. Thomas allegedly told investigators the aim was to create enough chaos to bring about the overthrow of the U.S. government. The complaint also states that Thomas indicated he believed the U.S. government is run by an elite group of individuals who sacrifice and consume infants.
The court filings further say Thomas mentioned disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein, who was accused of sex-trafficking girls and young women, and told investigators that Epstein’s associates are now protected by President Trump.
Roa denied involvement in the conspiracy, according to the court filing. He later told authorities that he planned to attend the UFC event only as a protester. but said his vehicle malfunctioned and he had to return home. His family members. however. told law enforcement that Roa said one day they would “wake up and he would be gone. ” and that he intended to travel to Washington. where “something big” would happen.
The complaint says Roa’s family members believed he intended to commit an act of violence during that trip based on increased time spent shooting his weapons and a noticeable change in behavior, including increased anxiety, irritation, and seclusion.
Investigators also reported finding weapons and equipment tied to the alleged plan. FBI agents found firearms, a tactical belt, and radios inside Roa’s car. Inside Thomas’ home, investigators described finding a pistol, a hunting rifle, an AR-style rifle, and several 30-round ammunition magazines.
The alleged plan, prosecutors say, was not limited to threats or statements. Federal court records describe co-conspirators discussing using drones to drop explosives on the north side of the White House to create panic. Investigators say the goal was also to funnel event attendees toward locations where snipers would be ready to kill certain high-value targets.
Federal agents became aware of the alleged plot June 10—four days before the UFC fight—after Proper’s mother reported concerns about her son’s recent conduct, including firearms purchases and communications with people online, which the complaint says kicked off the investigation.
When officers arrived at Proper’s residence that night. the complaint says another family member told police Proper was planning to leave the upcoming weekend to meet with online individuals. Investigators reported that Proper had recently acquired camping gear. food. ballistic plates for body armor. a new shotgun. a rifle. “lots” of ammunition. extra magazines. and plate carriers.
Proper was taken to a hospital, according to the complaint. Law enforcement submitted an application for an emergency admission based on his homicidal ideations. The next day. the FBI searched Proper’s home and found a journal describing beliefs about the government controlling people and sacrificing children and others to a demonic figure.
Authorities said the journal contained a list of about 46 names, including celebrities and politicians. When investigators searched Proper’s iPhone. the complaint says they observed chats on Signal groups laying out detailed plans to conduct an attack in Washington. D.C. with several unidentified co-conspirators. The filings describe detailed imagery of the National Capitol Region. maps highlighting different potential sniper locations. potential drone launch locations. and other tactical planning locations.
During an interview at a mental health center, Proper allegedly admitted to planning a coordinated attack against the government that would occur during UFC Freedom 250.
The case also includes two other alleged co-conspirators whose charges remain active. Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Miss., and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, are named among the remaining defendants. Proper’s case also remains ongoing.
Prosecutors say the two Southern California men—Roa and Thomas—were arrested Saturday. the day before the event on the White House lawn. Their initial court appearances in Riverside Monday ended with both ordered jailed without bond. as the federal cases continue through separate arraignment dates: July 7 for Roa and July 21 for Thomas.
White House UFC Freedom 250 conspiracy to commit murder Michael Alan Thomas Bryan Omar Roa Inland Empire San Bernardino County Riverside County FBI drones antigovernment ideology