The Department of Justice has revealed that among those arrested for a plot to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event that took place on Sunday is the alleged ringleader, who is not a US citizen. The plot allegedly involved the use of explosive-laden drones striking buildings near the event to prompt an evacuation, followed by sniper teams posted in the area.

Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was one of five men whose charges were announced by the Department of Justice on Tuesday afternoon. Alvarez has been charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the US and conspiracy to commit murder.

Per Nebraska Public Media, “The complaint contains no information about Alvarez’s immigration status or country of origin, but he consented to a consular notification on Tuesday. It is a requirement in federal court when foreign nationals are arrested to notify the embassy or consulate of the person’s home country. It is unclear if Alvarez was in the US legally.”

Alvarez is alleged to have been responsible for “planning, organizing, and directing the planned attack,” per the Department of Justice. An affidavit stated that during a June 11 interview with another defendant, Tycen Proper, he said that he had originally learned of an “anti-government protest” in Washington, DC, through an advertisement on TikTok through a user called “Shepherd,” who was later identified as Alvarez. 

Proper “detailed Shepherd directed the actions that would take place during the event and that Shepherd was the primary individual involved with planning. Proper directly stated that Shepherd was the leader of the group and described him as aggressive in tactical planning. He believed Shepherd was approximately 30 years old and possibly prior military. Finally, proper indicated that Shepherd was the one who created the group’s tier systems.” 

Authorities reviewed a Signal group chat titled “Hunters,” in which they observed a user by the name of Shepherd “who appeared to be posting a large portion of the planning information and was providing direction to other members of the chat.” 

In one post from Shepherd on June 10, he stated, “This is the best action I see. Position your teams in the purple dots (counter sniper and drones) Long range (circled area) (great shot) Easy out into the river.” This post was accompanied by a map screenshot of the National Capitol Region with areas circled as described.”

In follow-up posts, Alvarez allegedly laid out escape routes for plot members to get out of the area, directing them to “stick to meeting near the 495 bridge,” “take the river south,” and stick to “back roads.” He also allegedly provided “direction for a safe zone and instructed the other members to take back roads or the river down to the ‘pick up location,'” the affidavit stated. 

In the chats, Alvarez allegedly pushed for there to be “as many [drones] and as deadly as we can get,” and posted a list of “targets” that included a blank number one slot, followed by “2. VP 3. N 4. Musk.” The affidavit stated, “Based on my training and experience, I believe this to mean, ‘1’ was likely identifiable with President Donald Trump; ‘2’ was likely referring to Vice President JD Vance; ‘3. N’ was likely referencing the above screenshot, referring to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and ‘4. Musk’ likely referred to Elon Musk.”

Authorities uncovered Alvarez’s identification through an emergency disclosure request filed with TikTok, which provided basic subscriber information for the user. An IP address was returned, and the FBI subsequently issued an emergency disclosure request with Cox Communications, through which they identified Alvarez.