Eight men have been indicted on federal murder and terrorism conspiracy charges over an alleged plan to attack a UFC event held on the White House grounds in June, according to court documents and Justice Department statements. The indictment, returned in Ohio, accuses the defendants of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and to commit murder on federal property, including against federal officials.
Authorities say they learned of a possible threat four days before the mixed martial arts event, known as Freedom 250. Prosecutors allege the group began preparing in May, collecting money, firearms, ammunition, body armour, explosives, drones, medical supplies and communications equipment. An affidavit says one defendant described plans to use drones carrying explosives and then fire on people fleeing the scene. The records do not make clear how close the alleged plotters came to carrying out the attack.
The charges followed arrests in several states, including Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Nebraska, California and West Virginia. Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, was among those first arrested during the weekend of the event. The eighth defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, W.Va., was arrested this week. Investigators allege Scaggs had been assigned a sniper role and sought another way to travel after losing contact with Proper.
Officials have said the defendants held fringe conspiracy beliefs and intended to destabilize the government. Prosecutors allege potential targets included President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, businessman Elon Musk and other high-profile attendees.
The accusations remain allegations, and the defendants have not been convicted. Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists can carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years; conspiracy to commit murder can carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. The case is expected to proceed through federal court in Ohio.