Mark Adams Prieto, a 58-year-old Arizona resident born on October 9, 1965, was arrested in New Mexico following an FBI investigation into his alleged involvement in planning a mass shooting. Prieto was taken into custody last month while traveling on an interstate.
| Mark Adams Prieto Wikipedia | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 58. |
| Birth Date | October 9, 1965. |
| Lives in | Prescott, Arizona. |
| Gender | Male. |
| Nationality | American. |
| Crime Record | |
| Arrested for | Plotting Mass Shooting. |
| Charges | Firearms Trafficking. Transfer of a Firearm. Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. |
Alleged Plot and Motivation
Target and Motive:
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- Intended Attack: Federal authorities claim Prieto planned to carry out a mass shooting targeting African Americans and other minorities to incite racial conflict before the 2024 United States Presidential Election.
- Planned Location: Prieto aimed to disrupt a Bad Bunny concert in Atlanta, scheduled for May 14 and 15, 2024, and plant Confederate flags at the scene to amplify the impact of his actions.
FBI Investigation
Surveillance and Evidence:
- March 23, 2024: The FBI observed Prieto at a gun show in Prescott Valley, Arizona, where he had a vendor table with about nine firearms. During this event, Prieto confirmed to an undercover FBI agent that their planned attack was serious and needed to be executed before the election.
- May 5, 2024: Prieto attended another gun show in Tucson, Arizona, and informed a confidential informant that he would scout locations in Atlanta the following week. He planned to meet again with the informant and the undercover agent at a gun show in Flagstaff, Arizona, on June 1 or 2, 2024.
Arrest and Charges
Admission and Indictment:
- Confession: During questioning, Prieto admitted to knowing the confidential human source and the undercover FBI agent. He discussed plans for an attack on a public venue in Atlanta, aiming to target a concert attended by young people and minorities to incite a revolution. Despite these discussions, Prieto claimed he had no intention of carrying out the attack.
- Firearms: Prieto acknowledged selling an AR-15 to the undercover agent and admitted to having five firearms in his vehicle and more at his residence.
Indictment:
- Charges: A federal grand jury indicted Prieto on multiple charges, including Firearms Trafficking, Transfer of a Firearm for Use in a Hate Crime, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.
- Allegations: The indictment alleges that between January 2024 and May 2024, Prieto conspired with two individuals whom he believed shared his extremist views. These individuals were cooperating with the FBI.
Mark Adams Prieto’s arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of federal authorities to prevent hate crimes and mass shootings, particularly those aimed at inciting racial violence.
Mark Adams Prieto FAQs
Ques: What is Mark Adams Prieto’s age?
Ans: Prieto is 58.
Ques: Where does Mark Adams Prieto live?
Ans: Prescott, Arizona.
Ques: How many charges does Mark Adams Prieto face?
Ans: Adams faces three charges.
