Eight Charged in Foiled Plot Targeting UFC 250 Event at White House

Eight men were indicted Thursday on murder and terrorism conspiracy charges in connection with a thwarted drone and sniper attack allegedly planned against the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House in June. The indictment was returned in Ohio and names all eight defendants in two distinct conspiracies: one for providing material support to terrorists and another for planning to commit murder on federal government property and to murder a federal government official.

Court records did not specify how close the suspects may have been to executing the alleged plan before it was stopped.

According to the indictment, the group’s activities began in May, when they began collecting money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical supplies, communications devices, and other materials.

Law enforcement officials learned about a potential threat to the UFC event on June 10, four days before the mixed martial arts event was to be held.

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Federal authorities announced charges last month against seven individuals from several states, including Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Nebraska, and California. Prosecutors stated that the group was motivated by fringe conspiracy theories and that they allegedly sought to use the attack to destabilize the government.

A federal affidavit described one suspect telling investigators that the plan was to use drones loaded with explosives to hit the event and then open fire on attendees as they fled the scene.

Among those charged was Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, who was arrested along with four others in Missouri, Nebraska, and California during the weekend of the UFC Freedom 250 event. Two additional suspects were taken into custody by the FBI about a week later in Washington and Missouri.

The eighth man, identified as Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, was arrested this week in that state. According to the affidavit, Scaggs was allegedly assigned as one of the snipers for the planned assault.

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The affidavit also stated that Scaggs was supposed to be picked up by Proper for transport to Washington but lost contact with him after Proper’s arrest. Despite that, Scaggs allegedly indicated to the others that he still intended to take part in the operation and coordinated travel plans with another co-conspirator.

The indictment lists two charges for each defendant: conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, which carries a possible prison term of up to 15 years, and conspiracy to commit murder, which is punishable by up to life in prison.

Federal prosecutors allege that the group intended to assassinate President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and additional federal officials who were expected to attend the event.

The indictment further alleges that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, businessman Elon Musk, and several “other high-value targets” were among those listed by the group as intended victims.

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