Authorities say an Omaha man played a central role in a foiled plot targeting a major event at the White House. Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez is among five men across the nation who were arrested in recent days and charged in a plot to attack and kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event at the White House Sunday.
The FBI launched an investigation into the plot and identified a group of conspirators who procured weapons and made plans to carry out the attack. The FBI made arrests over the weekend in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California. The investigation remains ongoing.
According to federal charges outlined in documents, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez is accused of using the alias “Shepherd” on an encrypted messaging app to help plan the attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event. Investigators allege Alvarez coordinated the operation, directing others on where to position teams, including drone operators and snipers, and encouraging the use of explosive-laden drones.
Court documents say Alvarez outlined potential launch sites and firing positions, and even provided directions to a designated “safe zone” at an old church in Nebraska, along with instructions on how participants could exit the area. Prosecutors allege he was actively working to acquire and build drones for the operation. Authorities say the plot was disrupted before it could be carried out, and the investigation remains ongoing.