Columbus, Ohio – Federal prosecutors have charged eight men in connection with an alleged conspiracy to carry out a deadly attack targeting government officials and other attendees during the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14.
The charges were announced after a federal grand jury in Columbus returned a two-count indictment against all eight defendants. Prosecutors allege the group worked together over several weeks to prepare for an attack involving firearms, explosives, drones, tactical equipment, and other resources.
The indictment replaces earlier criminal complaints that had been filed in several federal districts following arrests made before and shortly after the event.
Prosecutors allege extensive planning and recruitment
According to the indictment, the investigation first centered on Tycen J. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, who was initially charged in the Southern District of Ohio. Proper and four other men were arrested during the weekend of the UFC Freedom 250 event after criminal complaints were filed in Missouri, Nebraska, and California.
About one week later, federal authorities arrested two additional suspects in Washington and Missouri.
The eighth defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, was taken into custody this week in West Virginia.
Investigators allege Scaggs had been assigned to serve as one of the snipers during the planned attack. According to an affidavit, Proper was expected to pick up Scaggs before traveling to Washington, D.C. After Proper was arrested, prosecutors allege Scaggs lost contact with him but remained committed to participating in the plot. Authorities claim he then made new plans for another alleged conspirator to transport him to the event.
The indictment names the eight defendants as Abraham H. Alvarez of Omaha, Nebraska; Daniel K. Eskridge of Hamilton, Missouri; William L. S. Falkner of Belfair, Washington; Tycen J. Proper of Danville, Ohio; Jordan W. Rincker of St. Joseph, Missouri; Bryan O. Roa of Calimesa, California; Chandler D. Scaggs of Chapmanville, West Virginia; and Michael A. Thomas of Pinon Hills, California.
Federal prosecutors allege the conspiracy began in May 2026.
According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly agreed to provide material support and resources to terrorists, including money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical supplies, communications equipment, personnel, and other forms of assistance.
Investigators further allege the group communicated through online platforms including Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok, and Instagram, where members discussed attack plans, recruited additional participants, and encouraged each other to prepare for violent acts, including the alleged plan targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event.
Court documents state the group allegedly established a tier system to classify participants. Prosecutors claim those designated as tier one conspirators agreed to put themselves “in harms [sic] way, break the law, and potentially go into hiding.”
Authorities also allege the defendants gathered weapons, ammunition, tactical equipment, and other supplies while participating in firearms and combat training. Prosecutors contend they selected targets for the White House event and developed operational plans covering both the attack and their intended escape afterward.
The second count of the indictment accuses all eight men of conspiring to commit murder on federal government property and to murder a federal government official.
According to prosecutors, the alleged targets included the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, other federal officials, the Prime Minister of Israel, Elon Musk, and “other high value targets” attending UFC Freedom 250.
If convicted, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison, while conspiracy to commit murder carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison.
The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio, Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the FBI Cincinnati Division, the U.S. Secret Service, and several state and local law enforcement agencies that participated in the multi-state investigation. Prosecutors emphasized that the indictment contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
