Federal grand jury indicts 8 men in conspiracies related to plot to attack UFC Freedom 250 event at White House, kill government officials

Eighth alleged coconspirator who was to participate as sniper during attack arrested by FBI in West Virginia this week COLUMBUS, Ohio – A total of eight defendants now face federal charges related to the alleged plot to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14. All eight men were charged together in a two-count indictment returned in Columbus today. The indictment stems from an initial investigation and criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Ohio against Tycen C. Proper 19, of Danville, Ohio. Proper and four others charged federally by criminal complaint in Missouri, Nebraska and California were arrested the weekend of the UFC event. Two more defendants were charged by criminal complaint and arrested by the FBI approximately one week later in Washington and Missouri. This week, an eighth defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, was taken into custody in West Virginia. Scaggs was allegedly assigned to be one of the snipers in the plotted attack. An affidavit details that Scaggs was to be picked up by Proper to travel to Washington, D.C. Scaggs and others lost contact with Proper upon Proper’s arrest, but Scaggs allegedly indicated to the group that he was still willing to participate in the attack and made new plans for another coconspirator to pick him up to travel to the UFC Freedom 250 event. A full list of those charged in the indictment includes: Name Also Known As Age City of Residence Abraham H. Alvarez Shepherd 31 Omaha, Nebraska Daniel K. Eskridge Fulcrum 32 Hamilton, Missouri William L. S. Falkner Pepsi 21 Belfair, Washington Tycen J. Proper Prox 19 Danville, Ohio Jordan W. Rincker Shriveled Shlong 28 St. Joseph, Missouri Bryan O. Roa Noble 25 Calimesa, California Chandler D. Scaggs Viper of the S.O.G. 21 Chapmanville, West Virginia Michael A. Thomas Whiskey Six 32 Pinon Hills, California The indictment charges all eight men in two conspiracies: conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official. The indictment replaces the initial charges filed in criminal complaints in various Districts across the country. According to the indictment, starting in May 2026, the defendants conspired to provide material support and resources to terrorists in the form of money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical equipment, communication equipment, personnel and other services. The eight men allegedly participated in online chat groups and forums on Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok and Instagram. Throughout these communications, they allegedly developed plans for attacks, recruited members and encouraged each other to prepare for attacks, including the attack on UFC Freedom 250. The indictment details that, as part of their conspiracy, the defendants created a tier system to classify participants. Tier one conspirators allegedly committed to put themselves “in harms [sic] way, break the law, and potentially go into hiding.” Besides amassing weapons, ammunition, tactical gear and other supplies, the defendants also allegedly engaged in marksmanship and combat training, agreed on targets for the UFC Freedom 250 event and created operational plans to commit the attack and escape after the attack. Count two of the indictment charges a second conspiracy, namely, conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official. As part of this conspiracy, the defendants allegedly planned to murder the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, other federal officials, the Prime Minister of Israel, Elon Musk and “other high value targets” at UFC Freedom 250. Conspiring to provide material support to terrorists is punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment. Conspiring to commit murder carries a potential penalty of up to life in prison.