Key facts
- Eight men have been indicted on murder and terrorism conspiracy charges.
- The alleged plot targeted a UFC event at the White House.
- The attack plan involved explosive-laden drones and snipers.
- Prosecutors allege the targets included President Trump, Vice President Vance, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Elon Musk.
Eight men have been indicted on murder and terrorism conspiracy charges for their alleged roles in a thwarted drone and sniper attack plot targeting a UFC cage-fighting show at the White House in June. The indictment, returned in Ohio, charges all eight in two separate conspiracies: one for providing material support to terrorists and another for committing murder on federal government territory and attempting to murder a federal government official.
According to the indictment, the group began amassing money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical equipment, and communications equipment in May. On June 10, law enforcement learned about a potential threat to President Donald Trump’s UFC cage-fighting show, scheduled for June 14. The Justice Department had previously announced federal charges against seven individuals from across the country, including Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Nebraska, and California.
Officials stated the group members held fringe conspiracy theories and aimed to destabilize the government. One defendant informed investigators that the plan included flying explosive-laden drones into the event and then shooting panicked attendees as they fled. Tycen C Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, was among those arrested. The eighth man, 21-year-old Chandler D Scaggs of West Virginia, was charged and taken into custody this week. Scaggs was allegedly assigned to be one of the snipers and signaled willingness to participate after Proper's arrest. Prosecutors allege the group planned to murder Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, businessman Elon Musk, and other high-value targets.