The man accused of leading a foiled drone attack plot targeting a UFC event at the White House is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Abraham Alvarez, 31, entered the United States as a child and remained in the country after his B2 visa expired in 2001, DHS said Thursday. He later received deportation relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, commonly known as DACA, during the Obama administration.
Alvarez is one of five people accused of taking part in an alleged plan to kill President Donald Trump and other senior government officials during the UFC Freedom 250 event, which was held late Sunday on the White House South Lawn. The event drew thousands of spectators to the White House grounds for the combat sports showcase.
Authorities allege the group planned to use drones carrying explosives to attack the event. Prosecutors also say the suspects intended to target people as they fled the scene, using snipers positioned to fire into the crowd.
Investigators told Fox News Digital that Alvarez played a central role in the alleged plot. Officials described him as the person responsible for planning, organizing and directing the proposed attack, which was stopped before it could be carried out. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies were involved in disrupting the alleged operation.
“This illegal alien from Mexico should never have been allowed in our country,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “He was the ringleader of a failed terror attack targeting UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.”
Bis said Alvarez would face prosecution and removal from the United States.
“He will face justice and swiftly be removed from our country,” she added.
Federal investigators are also examining whether additional people were connected to the alleged plot. According to officials, 23 individuals are currently under investigation for possible involvement.
The five people already arrested could face severe penalties if convicted. A conspiracy to commit murder charge carries a possible life sentence, along with a fine of up to $250,000. The suspects could also face an additional charge related to planning an act of violence on White House grounds, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Officials have not publicly released all details of the investigation, including how close the alleged plot came to being carried out or what evidence led authorities to the suspects. The case remains under federal investigation.
