A federal grand jury in the United States has indicted eight men over an alleged plot to carry out a terrorist attack during the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House in June.
The indictment, unsealed in Ohio, charges the suspects with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government property and to murder federal officials. If convicted, they face up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the terrorism-related charge and up to life imprisonment on the murder conspiracy charge.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the defendants allegedly planned to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, other federal officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, businessman Elon Musk and other “high-value targets” during the June 14 event.
Prosecutors alleged that the suspects used encrypted messaging applications, including Signal, SimpleX and Discord, as well as social media platforms TikTok and Instagram, to recruit members, coordinate training and develop plans for the attack.
The DOJ said investigators believe the group stockpiled firearms, ammunition, explosives, drones, body armour, communications equipment and medical supplies, while conducting combat and marksmanship training in preparation for the attack.
Court documents alleged that the conspirators intended to deploy explosive-laden drones to trigger panic before sniper teams opened fire on fleeing crowds and designated targets at the White House event.
The defendants were identified as Bryan O. Roa, Michael A. Thomas, Abraham H. Alvarez, Daniel K. Eskridge, William L. S. Falkner, Tycen J. Proper, Jordan W. Rincker and Chandler D. Scaggs, who are from California, Nebraska, Missouri, Washington, Ohio and West Virginia.
Federal authorities alleged that the conspiracy began in May 2026, with members acquiring weapons and tactical equipment and establishing a tiered membership structure based on participants’ willingness to carry out violent acts.
The indictment expands on criminal complaints filed last month after the FBI said it had disrupted the alleged plot days before the White House event. Under U.S. law, the charges remain allegations, and all eight defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
