Chicago man charged with obstructing White House UFC plot

A Chicago man has been arrested and charged with obstructing the federal investigation into a foiled plot to attack a high-profile Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House earlier this month. Alexander Iniguez Mercado, 20, was indicted on one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors allege Mercado served as an administrator for encrypted messaging groups on the Signal application where participants coordinated a violent attack planned for June 14. The event, held on the White House South Lawn and attended by President Donald Trump, thousands of spectators, and athletes, was reportedly targeted by a group of individuals from multiple states. Mercado is the eighth person charged in connection with the alleged conspiracy.

According to the indictment, an FBI special agent contacted Mercado by telephone on June 13, the day before the scheduled event, to discuss online threats. The agent asked if Mercado planned to travel to Washington, D.C., to assist with the attack. Mercado allegedly denied any such plans, declined to meet with the agent, and ended the call. Prosecutors state that shortly after the...