In what can only be described as a tragicomic failure at both concert-going and world-ending, Mark Prieto, an Arizona man whose aspirations apparently included injecting a bit of 1861 into modern America, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on several firearms charges. Prieto was allegedly planning a mass shooting at a concert in Atlanta targeting Black people and other minorities, with the intended cherry on top being a race war ahead of the upcoming presidential election (CNN, NBC News).

Prieto was arrested on May 14 while driving east from Arizona through New Mexico, because nothing says "innocent road trip" like journeying with seven guns (CNN). Authorities managed to intercept him just in time. Prieto told them he was heading to Florida to visit his mother (NBC News), because why plan an apocalyptic campaign of racial violence when you can drop in on Mom for a weekend?

The charges Prieto faces would make any arms dealer blush: firearms trafficking, transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime, and possession of an unregistered firearm (CNN), (NBC News). The grand plans included targeting a concert scheduled for May 14 and May 15 at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta (CNN), (NBC News).

But where did this little ball of sunshine get his start? Well, the FBI has been keeping tabs since October after a confidential source reported his plans (NBC News). Between January and May, Prieto allegedly discussed his attack plans with two people (CNN), one of whom was an undercover FBI agent (surprise!) and the other a confidential source (NBC News). During these discussions, Prieto managed to sell not just an AK-style rifle, but also an AR-style rifle to these undercover individuals while under constant FBI surveillance (CNN).

To add a dash of tasteless historical revisionism, Prieto expressed a desire to leave Confederate flags at the scene to ensure the attack was seen as racially motivated. Because nothing says forward-thinking like waving the same flag that's been out of season for about 160 years (NBC News).

Let's not forget Prieto's side gig. He had been a vendor at gun shows in Prescott Valley, Arizona, where he traded firearms from his personal collection, introducing new buyers to the wonderland of untracked and easy-to-get weapons (NBC News).

Law enforcement wasn't satisfied with the on-the-road arrest and decided a home visit was in order. From Prieto's abode, they recovered additional firearms, including an unregistered short-barreled rifle. Clearly, when Prieto got into something, he liked to follow through (NBC News).

Prieto, evidently well-versed in civil unrest logistics, believed that martial law would make it impossible to carry out the attack after the election (CNN). Why imperil innocents when curfews and the National Guard are coming anyway?

One of the most chilling statements Prieto purportedly made to undercover agents was that one of the most important elements of the attack was to have a high body count. Quite the goal-oriented fellow, wasn't he? (NBC News).

With federal charges now looming, it looks like his audience for the foreseeable future will be a jury instead of concert-goers. Prieto's sunny plans for inciting a second civil war may have been thwarted, but he leaves behind an example of how meticulous law enforcement can make sure certain individuals end up with their comeuppance. And let’s face it, he didn't even have to miss visiting Mom after all.