UFC Freedom 250 fight from the Washington Monument, on Sunday, June 14, 2026, on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Patrick B. Ruddy).

A federal grand jury has indicted eight men accused of plotting a mass-casualty terrorist attack targeting President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk, and other senior officials during the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14.

The two-count indictment, returned Thursday in Columbus, Ohio, charges all eight defendants with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government property and murder federal officials.

According to the Justice Department, the alleged conspiracy began in May 2026, when the defendants used encrypted messaging platforms, including Signal, SimpleX, and Discord, as well as TikTok and Instagram, to plan the attack, recruit additional members, and coordinate logistics.

🚨 BREAKING: DOJ has just announced a criminal indictment against 8 people for plotting a massive violent terror attack against the White House while President Trump was there

Up to LIFE IN PRISON.

NO MERCY. Maximum punishment!

“This alleged plot was DISRUPTED before it could… pic.twitter.com/1ZCj1Xz3X6

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 10, 2026

Prosecutors allege the group acquired firearms, ammunition, explosives, body armor, drones, communications equipment, and medical supplies while conducting combat and marksmanship training ahead of the planned assault.

The indictment alleges the defendants established a tiered structure for participants, with so-called “Tier One” members agreeing to “put themselves ‘in harms [sic] way, break the law, and potentially go into hiding.’”

Authorities say the group selected targets at the White House event and developed operational plans for both carrying out the attack and escaping afterward.

The eight defendants are Abraham H. Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Hamilton, Missouri; William L.S. Falkner, 21, of Belfair, Washington; Tycen J. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Bryan O. Roa, 25, of Calimesa, California; Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia; and Michael A. Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California.

Scaggs, who was arrested this week in West Virginia, was allegedly assigned to serve as one of the snipers during the attack.

Court documents allege he remained committed to participating even after Proper was arrested, and that he sought alternative transportation to Washington, D.C.

The indictment replaces earlier criminal complaints filed against the defendants in multiple federal districts.

If convicted, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, while conspiracy to commit murder on federal property carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment.

Ben Kew is a writer and editor. Originally from the UK, he moved to the U.S. to cover Congress for Breitbart News and has since gone on to editorial roles at Human Events, Townhall Media, and Americano Media. He has also written for The Epoch Times, The Western Journal, and The Spectator.

You can email Ben Kew here, and read more of Ben Kew's articles here.

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