NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – An Arizona man who is accused of planning a mass shooting in an attempt to start a “race war” was arrested in New Mexico, according to federal authorities.
Mark Adams Prieto, 58, of Prescott, was indicted on Tuesday for charges of firearms trafficking, transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime, and possession of an unregistered firearm, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona wrote in a news release.
Prieto reportedly had discussions with two individuals who worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about his plan to commit the shooting to incite a race war ahead of the 2024 United States Presidential Election, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The shooting was allegedly planned to target a “rap concert” at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 14 and 15 because there would be a high concentration of African Americans at the concert, according to court documents.
Discussions about the mass shooting allegedly took place between Prieto and the two government agents at gun shows in Phoenix, Prescott Valley, and Tucson, Arizona, between January 2024 and May 2024. Court documents noted that Prieto reportedly planned to carry out the attack along with the two undercover government individuals.
In April, Prieto told the two government agents that he wanted to push the mass shooting to a later date and possibly change the attack location to a mosque, according to court documents.
Prieto allegedly sold two rifles to one of the individuals, an AK-style rifle on Feb. 25, and an AR-style rifle on March 24.
Prieto was arrested by law enforcement on May 14 while he was driving east from Arizona through New Mexico along Interstate 40, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona said. Officials did not specify what law enforcement agency arrested Prieto, but said law enforcement found Prieto was in possession of seven guns and was taken into federal custody.
Law enforcement also conducted a search warrant at Prieto’s home in Arizona and found more guns, including an unregistered short-barreled rifle.
After he was arrested, court documents state that Prieto told officials that he was traveling to visit his mother in Florida and that he was not going to Atlanta. He also reportedly admitted to having prior discussions about conducting an attack at a concert in Atlanta, but said that he did not intend to carry it out.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said each conviction for firearms trafficking and transfer of firearm for use in a hate crime carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. A conviction for possession of an unregistered firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
