Eight Suspects Indicted in Alleged Plot to Attack White House UFC Event
Federal prosecutors have indicted eight men for their alleged roles in a plot to attack a UFC event at the White House last month. The suspects planned to use drones to create a diversion and snipers to attack attendees, according to the Justice Department.
The indictment, unveiled Thursday, includes charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory. The alleged targets included high-profile individuals such as President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and the Prime Minister of Israel.
The suspects allegedly created a structured system with a "tier" classification for participants, with "tier one" members committing to break the law and potentially go into hiding. Authorities arrested five men in connection with the plot on the weekend it took place and another two suspects the following week.
An eighth defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of West Virginia, was allegedly assigned to be one of the snipers. He was taken into custody after losing contact with a co-conspirator, Tycen Proper, 19, of Ohio, who was arrested by federal authorities.
If convicted, all eight men could face up to life in prison. The investigation was tipped off by concerned phone calls from Proper's mother, who raised concerns about his amassing of firearms and troubling online conversations. The defendants include Abraham Alvarez, 31, of Omaha; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Missouri; William L.S. Falkner, 21, of Washington; Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of Missouri; Bryan O. Roa, 25, of California; and Michael Thomas, 32, of California.
The indictment, unveiled Thursday, includes charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory. The alleged targets included high-profile individuals such as President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and the Prime Minister of Israel.
The suspects allegedly created a structured system with a "tier" classification for participants, with "tier one" members committing to break the law and potentially go into hiding. Authorities arrested five men in connection with the plot on the weekend it took place and another two suspects the following week.
An eighth defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of West Virginia, was allegedly assigned to be one of the snipers. He was taken into custody after losing contact with a co-conspirator, Tycen Proper, 19, of Ohio, who was arrested by federal authorities.
If convicted, all eight men could face up to life in prison. The investigation was tipped off by concerned phone calls from Proper's mother, who raised concerns about his amassing of firearms and troubling online conversations. The defendants include Abraham Alvarez, 31, of Omaha; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Missouri; William L.S. Falkner, 21, of Washington; Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of Missouri; Bryan O. Roa, 25, of California; and Michael Thomas, 32, of California.
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