Chilling details of California terror rings plot against Freedom 250 as mastermind is unmasked

The alleged California ringleader behind a foiled terror plot targeting the White House’s UFC Freedom 250 event has been unmasked.Federal authorities allege Michael Alan Thomas, of Pinon Hills, was one of the conspiracy’s primary planners.Prosecutors say he operated under the online alias “Whiskey Six Amerika” and shared tactical advice with fellow plotters as they mapped out an assault on the June 14 blockbuster event.According to a federal criminal complaint, another suspect in the case, 19-year-old Ohio resident Tycen Proper, told investigators Thomas played a leading role in the alleged scheme and provided key information during the planning stages.Agents reviewing Proper’s cellphone identified a Signal user named “whiskey_six(CA) {Amerika}” as one of the co-conspirators and linked the account to Thomas, prosecutors allege.  California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Investigators say Thomas and other alleged conspirators communicated in an encrypted Signal chat called “Hunters,” where members exchanged detailed plans for carrying out the attack and escaping afterward.“The ‘Hunters’ Signal group, which included THOMAS, PROPER, and other co-conspirators, contained detailed instructions for carrying out the attack at UFC Freedom 250 including plans to safely escape after the attack,” the affidavit states. Prosecutors allege the group shared aerial photographs and maps of Washington, D.C., including the White House grounds, and discussed potential sniper positions and locations from which drones could be launched. The alleged conspiracy first came to light after Proper’s family contacted authorities in Ohio, worried about his recent behavior, firearms purchases and interactions with an online group espousing anti-government v...