By WMBD TV
CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been federally charged with obstruction of justice in connection with the alleged plot to attack the UFC event at the White House.
Alexander Iniguez Mercado, 20, of Chicago, is accused of being an administrator and member of Signal messaging groups. The indictment states the group included members who appeared to communicate with others regarding the planning of an alleged attack targeting the UFC event at the White House on June 14.
The indictment states that an FBI agent spoke with Mercado by phone the day before the UFC event. Mercado denied having plans to travel to Washington, D.C. to help with the alleged attack. He is accused of uninstalling the Signal application from his phone, causing the data to be unavailable.
He was arrested on Thursday and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if he is convicted on the obstruction of justice charge.
Mercado’s initial appearance is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Two days after the event, federal authorities announced charges against Tycen Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska.
Most are accused of gathering weapons and planning spots around Washington, D.C. to potentially shoot victims. On Monday, federal authorities announced two more arrests in the case.
William Falkner, of Washington state, is accused of conspiring to procure and fly explosive-laden drones around the event. Jordan Rincker, of St. Joseph, Missouri, allegedly possessed the materials and agreed to produce the drones.
The FBI and Secret Service are investigating the case.
WMBD TV first reported this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
