Eight men have been formally indicted on charges of murder and terrorism conspiracy following a thwarted plot to attack a UFC cage-fighting event held on the White House South Lawn in June 2026. The indictment, returned in Ohio, consolidates the case against the group, charging them with two separate conspiracies: providing material support to terrorists and conspiring to commit murder on federal government territory, specifically targeting a federal government official.
According to federal court records, the investigation into the group began on June 10, just four days before the Freedom 250 mixed martial arts event was scheduled to take place. Prosecutors allege the plot originated in May, with the defendants actively amassing a cache of firearms, ammunition, explosives, body armor, drones, and various medical and communication supplies. The group reportedly communicated through online forums and chat groups, categorizing participants into tiers, with “tier 1” members prepared to engage in violence and potentially go into hiding. Members also participated in combat and marksmanship training.
One defendant allegedly told investigators that the group planned to fly explosive-laden drones into the event before shooting panicked spectators as they attempted to flee. The Justice Department previously announced several criminal complaints across various states, including Missouri, California, Nebraska, and Washington, before moving to streamline the prosecution in Ohio. Officials stated that the group was motivated by fringe conspiracy theories and aimed to destabilize the government.
The eighth man charged, 21-year-old Chandler D. Scaggs of Chapmanville, West Virginia, was taken into custody this week. An affidavit alleges Scaggs was assigned to act as a sniper during the attack and had signaled his willingness to continue with the plot even after contact with other co-conspirators was lost following initial arrests. His attorney, Eric Brehm, stated the defense is currently reviewing the allegations.
Federal prosecutors allege the group intended to target President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, billionaire Elon Musk, and other high-value officials. While the conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, the murder conspiracy charges carry penalties of up to life in prison. It remains unclear from current records exactly how close the group came to successfully executing their plan.
President Donald Trump arrives at the arena for the UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, June 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
Tycen C. Proper 19, of Danville, Ohio, and four others were arrested and charged in Missouri, Nebraska and California the weekend of the cage-fighting event, called Freedom 250. Two more defendants were charged and arrested by the FBI about a week later in Washington and Missouri.
