Eight Men Indicted In Plot To Attack White House UFC Event With Drones And Sniper Fire

Idaho News · National
July 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM PDT

Why It Matters

A federal indictment unsealed this week reveals a coordinated domestic terrorism plot that targeted a high-profile UFC event at the White House in June. The thwarted conspiracy involved multiple states and sophisticated weaponry, underscoring ongoing threats to national security and major public events. Law enforcement’s detection and swift arrests prevented what prosecutors allege could have resulted in mass casualties and attacks on top government officials.

What Happened

Eight men face federal indictment on charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory, according to court documents filed Thursday in Ohio. The men allegedly coordinated a multi-state plot to carry out a coordinated drone and sniper attack during the UFC Freedom 250 cage-fighting event scheduled for June 14 at the White House.

The conspiracy began in May, when members of the group started accumulating firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical supplies, and communications equipment. One defendant told investigators the plan involved flying explosive-laden drones into the event venue while other participants would use sniper fire to shoot fleeing attendees, according to court filings.

Federal agents learned of the potential threat on June 10, four days before the scheduled event. Five of the eight defendants were arrested over the weekend of the event itself in Missouri, Nebraska, and California. Two additional men were arrested one week later in Washington and Missouri. The eighth defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, was arrested this week.

Scaggs was allegedly assigned a sniper role in the operation. After another key conspirator was detained, Scaggs communicated his willingness to proceed with the plot and arranged travel with a fellow co-conspirator, according to prosecutors.

The Organization and Targets

Prosecutors allege the group organized itself into tiers, with tier-one members committed to “put themselves in harm’s way, break the law, and potentially go into hiding” to carry out the attack. Members conducted marksmanship and combat training in preparation for the operation.

The alleged targets included President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, other unnamed federal officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and entrepreneur Elon Musk, along with unspecified “other high value targets” at the event.

Criminal complaints were filed in five federal districts: Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Nebraska, and California, reflecting the geographic scope of the conspiracy.

By the Numbers

Eight men indicted on federal terrorism and murder conspiracy charges
May 2026: month the conspiracy began
June 10: date law enforcement first learned of the threat
15 years: maximum prison sentence for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists
Life in prison: maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit murder

National Security Context

The indictment reflects an ongoing focus by federal law enforcement on domestic terrorism threats targeting major events and government officials. The coordinated nature of the plot—involving multiple conspirators across several states assembling weapons and conducting tactical training—represents the type of distributed threat that federal agencies have increasingly prioritized.

The targeting of a White House event with high-profile attendees indicates the sophistication and ambition of the alleged plan. Recent federal actions have also intensified scrutiny on foreign threats and intelligence matters affecting national security, as agencies work to address multiple layers of risk to government leadership and public safety.

What’s Next

The indicted men face federal prosecution in Ohio and other jurisdictions. Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, is among those already in custody. All eight defendants are expected to appear before federal judges for arraignment and bail proceedings. The cases will move through the federal court system, where prosecutors will present evidence of the conspiracy to juries.