Conspirators planned to use drones to attack the White House

The group discussed using drones loaded with explosives for this purpose, CNN reports.

One of the accused, Jordan Rinker, gave another a firearm in exchange for money, a computer, and a 3D printer to carry out the plan. During interrogation, he claimed he lied to the other members of the group, didn't know how to assemble drones, had no explosives, and actually planned to disappear with the money.

William Lee Spartacus Falkner discussed in the group chat how to arm drones with explosives, what type of explosives to use to cause the greatest harm, and how to obtain the necessary equipment. He wrote that they would have to spend $200-300 per drone, and that they needed to be capable of carrying up to 12 pounds of explosives and be resistant to electronic countermeasures that law enforcement might deploy.

About a week before the tournament, Falkner wrote in the chat that they already had five drones.

The chat where the plan was discussed included a wider circle of people, the exact number of whom is not disclosed. After the first arrests, Falkner wrote in the chat that his work trip was canceled because his boss had been captured.

Another defendant in the case, believed to be the leader of the group, is Abraham Alvarez. He is alleged to have introduced Rinker to the group as a drone manufacturer and provided him with a set of equipment for preparation, including a 3D printer. Rinker also allegedly gave him a firearm.

Photo: Matt H. Wade.