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.
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 views.
Investigators later uncovered encrypted chats laying out plans for an attack timed to coincide with UFC Freedom 250, a major event held on the White House lawn that was attended by Trump and other senior government officials, according to the complaint.
Authorities allege the group planned to use drones carrying explosives to create chaos and funnel crowds into predetermined areas where shooters would target “high value targets” and fleeing attendees.
Federal authorities also tied another alleged conspirator, Bryan Omar Roa, to Yucaipa, California.
Using the encrypted alias “Noble6,” Roa allegedly coordinated with the anti-government group to help plot the drone-and-sniper attack against high-value targets at the White House event.
Internal chat logs reviewed by investigators show Roa discussing weapons and tactical gear, offering to contribute money for equipment and researching ways to avoid detection online, according to the complaint.
Though Roa told the FBI he intended to travel to Washington, D.C., only as a protester, his family told investigators he warned them that one day they would wake up and find him gone and that “something big” would happen in the nation’s capital.
Roa’s cross-country trip ended abruptly when his vehicle broke down in Barstow, forcing him to return to Southern California, where federal agents later searched his home and seized an AR-style rifle, a Glock 19 handgun and tactical gear, according to court records.
The complaint also references an Instagram Story that investigators say showed Roa participating in firearms and tactical training, though the account is no longer publicly available.
Proper told investigators that the group initially recruited members through TikTok, where users exchanged videos, photos of tactical gear and other material before moving to more secure chats on Signal, according to the affidavit.
Proper identified TikTok accounts allegedly associated with Thomas and other members of the group’s inner circle.
The California Post reviewed TikTok accounts appearing to belong to Thomas and Roa, which use the handles @whiskey_six_actual and @noble_0066.
Thomas’ account contains a handful of videos. One, posted in June 2025, shows a military officer firing a machine gun with the caption, “thanks for appreciation.” Other videos show gymnastics clips and gameplay footage from video games, including Call of Duty.
Roa’s account contains no original posts. Its profile picture shows a black screen obscuring the user’s face.
Both accounts feature reposted videos touching on politics, including criticism of Trump and support for anti-Israel causes.
One video reposted by Thomas four days ago parodies The Daily Show and criticizes Trump’s decision to strike Iran, while another shows footage purporting to depict violence against Christians in Gaza and the West Bank. Thomas also reposted videos from Tucker Carlson.
Thomas’ political views remain difficult to categorize. While some reposts criticize Trump, others appear to support ICE and military action against Iran.
Roa’s account features a repost from April showing a “Make America Great Again” flag emblazoned with “Trump 2024” being burned, alongside the caption: “when you finally understand what’s going on.”
Federal agents searched Thomas’ home on June 13 and seized a hunting rifle, an AR-style rifle, extended magazines loaded with roughly 180 rounds of ammunition and a pistol, according to the complaint.
Investigators also reviewed screenshots on his phone showing Google Maps images of Washington, D.C., including areas surrounding the White House.
During an interview with investigators, Thomas allegedly described himself as “the planner and advisor for the group” who wanted to “guide and instruct others on how to carry out attacks,” even though he claimed he was unwilling to take action himself.
Prosecutors say Thomas also expressed frustration that some members seemed unwilling to follow through with the planned assault and said the goal of the attack — and future operations — was to create enough chaos to overthrow the U.S. government.
Thomas and Roa were charged in federal court with conspiracy to commit murder. Proper faces separate charges in Ohio related to the alleged plot. The California duo is scheduled to be arraigned next month in Riverside County.