Mother's calls to police led to arrests in alleged White House event plot

A series of phone calls from a concerned mother to local police in Ohio triggered a nationwide investigation that uncovered an alleged plot to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House on June 14, 2026, and led to five arrests across four states.

The mother first contacted her cousin, who serves as chief deputy at the Knox County Sheriff's Office, on June 10.

evidence collection Police visited the home that evening.

The mother told officers she and family members had removed guns and ammunition from Proper's room. She also reported seeing a Google Maps pin marking Washington, D.C., and described her son's comments about a "hit-and-a-run type of thing." Proper was taken to Knox Community Hospital for an emergency medical admission. The next day, the Knox County Sheriff's Office contacted the FBI.

Federal investigation and charges FBI agents searched Proper's phone and found Signal group chats containing maps, sniper locations, and drone launch plans for Washington, D.C. During an interview at the medical facility, Proper admitted to planning a coordinated attack against the United States government during the UFC event, according to charging documents.

Proper faces federal charges of conspiring against the United States, attempted murder of a U.S. officer, and firearms crimes. Authorities said the investigation also resulted in four additional arrests in three other states. Officials continue to search for other individuals who may have been involved.

"My client takes the allegations against him very seriously and we are going to take the case one step, and one day, at a time as we move the case forward," Joseph Patituce, attorney for Proper, said in a statement.