A federal grand jury in Ohio has returned indictments against eight men accused of plotting a devastating drone and sniper attack targeting the UFC cage-fighting event held at the White House last month. The suspects now face serious charges including terrorism conspiracy and murder conspiracy on federal territory.
The Alleged Plot Uncovered
According to court documents, the conspiracy began taking shape in May when the group allegedly started accumulating weapons, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, and communication equipment. Law enforcement officials became aware of the potential threat on June 10, just four days before the mixed martial arts spectacle known as Freedom 250 was scheduled to take place on the White House grounds.
High-Profile Targets Named
Federal prosecutors revealed that the alleged targets included President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, billionaire Elon Musk, and other high-ranking government officials attending the event. One defendant reportedly told investigators that the plan involved flying explosive-laden drones into the crowd and then using snipers to shoot attendees as they attempted to flee the chaos.
Organized Through Online Networks
The group allegedly coordinated their activities through online chat rooms and forums, organizing members into different tiers based on their level of commitment. According to the indictment, tier 1 participants agreed to put themselves in danger, break laws, and potentially go into hiding afterward. Members also reportedly participated in marksmanship and combat training to prepare for the attack.
The most recent arrest involves 21-year-old Chandler D. Scaggs of West Virginia, who allegedly was designated as one of the snipers. Authorities say Scaggs remained willing to participate even after other conspirators were arrested and attempted to arrange transportation to Washington with another co-conspirator. The suspects face penalties ranging from 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
