Mark Adams Prieto’s arrest revealed a sinister plan to incite a race war by targeting a rap concert. The 58-year-old’s chilling strategy included arming himself and others to execute the attack. Authorities intercepted Prieto’s plot, preventing a potential tragedy.
Prieto’s Arrest Reveals Disturbing Plans
Mark Adams Prieto, arrested last month, openly discussed his plot to incite a race war with an undercover FBI agent. The 58-year-old even sold two automatic rifles to the agent, believing they would aid his chilling plans.
Federal Indictment on Multiple Charges
An indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Arizona has charged Prieto with firearms trafficking and hate crime-related firearm transfers. Additionally, he faces charges for possessing an unregistered firearm.
Violent Intentions Voiced in Prescott
Prieto, a resident of Prescott, Arizona, shared his violent intentions against minorities with an informant in 2023. The small retirement community became the backdrop for his dangerous rhetoric.
Advocacy for Mass Shootings
In late 2023, Prieto allegedly asked an informant if they were ready for mass violence, according to federal authorities. His targets included Blacks, Jews, and Muslims, with plans to act before martial law after the 2024 election.
Claims of Mercenary Experience
Prieto claimed to be a Ukrainian mercenary with experience in killing Russian soldiers. He also emphasized using cash transactions to avoid ATF detection.
FBI Sting Operation
An FBI agent joined the informant at a gun show on Jan. 20 to meet Prieto. The next day, Prieto allegedly solicited their help to attack a rap concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Targeting a Concert in Atlanta
Prieto planned to target the concert, believing it would be attended by many Black people. He blamed them for rising crime rates in Georgia, as detailed in the indictment.
Prieto’s Chilling Strategy
Prieto reportedly outlined his brutal strategy to the informant, discussing how to trap and panic the concertgoers. “You want to corral them,” he allegedly said, describing a scene of chaos where people would be forced into a frenzy.
Confederate Flags as a Message
According to the indictment, Prieto planned to display Confederate flags around the concert site post-attack, with a message proclaiming a nationwide fight against “every whitey.” This move was meant to signal a broader racial conflict across the country.
Weapon Cache for the Attack
Prieto allegedly enlisted the agent and informant to help him stash weapons in Atlanta before the planned shooting. During a February gun show, he reportedly sold an AK-47 to the agent and purchased a pistol for himself, preparing for the attack.
Gun Show Preparations
At a March Crossroads of the West gun show, Prieto displayed an arsenal including machine guns, rifles, and pistols. He allegedly sold an AR-15 to the agent, stating, “Yeah, yeah we gotta do it,” emphasizing the urgency of the attack.
Targeting the State Farm Arena
Prieto’s target was reportedly the May 14-15 concert at the State Farm Arena, where Bad Bunny was scheduled to perform. The indictment notes his plan to scout the venue after visiting Florida, then meet his accomplices at the next gun show in June.
Arrest in New Mexico
As Prieto drove through New Mexico to Florida, he was arrested on May 14. He reportedly admitted to planning an attack on a “rock concert where young people and minorities would be,” according to the indictment.
