Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons
Why It Matters
Federal prosecutors have expanded a domestic terrorism investigation targeting a planned mass-casualty attack on a high-profile White House event, now charging two additional men connected to an alleged plot involving armed drones and sniper fire. The case also revealed a second target: a FIFA World Cup game in Missouri scheduled for early July, raising urgent security concerns for major public gatherings.
What Happened
The Justice Department charged Jordan Rincker and William Lee Spartacus Falkner in connection with the alleged conspiracy, with both men making their initial federal court appearances Monday.
Rincker was arrested Sunday at his mother’s home in Missouri. Investigators say he was brought into a private group chat by Abraham Alvarez, identified as the alleged ringleader, and introduced to other members as “our manufacturer.” Alvarez reportedly provided Rincker with a 3D printer, a protective shield, night vision goggles, a Mac mini computer, and more than $1,000 in cash.
In exchange, Rincker allegedly provided another defendant with a firearm. When arrested, Rincker told officers he felt he had “armed a terrorist” and later told investigators, “I’m a real idiot for not stepping aside the moment he said what he wanted.” He claimed he had no explosives and said his intention was to pocket the money and keep the printer.
Falkner, the second newly charged defendant, allegedly played a central operational role in the drone planning. Court documents indicate he participated in a group chat where he discussed rigging drones with explosives and analyzed which types of explosive loads would produce the maximum damage. In one message, Falkner wrote, “We’re looking at 200-300$/drone if you want this done right.”
By early June, Falkner told others in the chat that the group had five drones in hand. After one of the earlier defendants was arrested, Falkner sent an Instagram message reading, “Work trip is canceled. My boss got picked up,” suggesting awareness that law enforcement had already moved against the alleged leadership.
By the Numbers
- 5 drones reported in the group’s possession as of early June
- $200–$300 per drone, the cost Falkner outlined to co-conspirators
- 12 pounds, the minimum carrying capacity Falkner specified for the drones
- 40 drones, the number Falkner claimed he could control simultaneously
- $1,000+, the amount Alvarez transferred to Rincker along with equipment
Zoom Out
The alleged conspiracy is notable both for its scale and its apparent dual-target structure. Beyond the White House UFC event, the group allegedly discussed an attack on a FIFA World Cup match set to take place in Missouri in early July, underscoring that investigators believe the threat extended to large-scale public sporting events.
The case adds to a pattern of federal authorities identifying domestic plots involving commercially available drone technology weaponized for mass violence — a growing concern for national security planners. The use of encrypted group chats and distributed procurement of components mirrors tactics flagged in prior federal terrorism investigations.
The alleged leader, Abraham Alvarez, was charged earlier in the investigation. The addition of Rincker and Falkner indicates prosecutors are working to dismantle the full network that formed around the plan. The expanding case comes as federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies have faced significant internal restructuring; for background on recent changes at the national security level, see this report on mass layoffs across intelligence agencies.
What’s Next
Both Rincker and Falkner are expected to proceed through the federal court system following their initial appearances. Prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges or defendants are forthcoming, though the investigation appears ongoing. With the FIFA World Cup matches in Missouri approaching in early July, federal security coordination around those events will almost certainly be elevated in the wake of these developments.
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