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WASHINGTON, D.C. — A historic UFC Event held on the South Lawn of the White House is now at the center of a major federal terrorism case after prosecutors announced that eight men have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to carry out a deadly attack during the gathering.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the defendants are accused of planning a coordinated assault on the June 2026 "UFC Freedom 250" event, which was staged on the White House grounds as part of a nationally televised celebration.

Prosecutors allege the suspects intended to use drones to create panic before deploying snipers to fire at people attempting to flee the area.

Federal authorities say the alleged conspiracy was disrupted before the event took place, preventing what investigators believe could have resulted in a mass-casualty attack.

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Historic UFC Event Held at the White House

The UFC Freedom 250 event marked one of the most unusual sporting events ever hosted at the White House.

Held on the South Lawn, the event drew guests, government officials and security personnel while also receiving national television coverage. The White House has occasionally hosted athletic exhibitions and championship celebrations, but a professional mixed martial arts event represented a significant departure from tradition.

Because the venue included the president's official residence and workplace, security was substantially greater than at a typical sporting event. The U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Park Police, and other federal agencies coordinated security operations before and during the event.

Prosecutors allege the suspects selected the event because of the presence of numerous high-profile public officials.

Charges filed against eight suspects in the plot

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging eight men with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal property and of a federal government official.

If convicted, each defendant could face penalties that include life imprisonment.

Court records identify the defendants as:

• Tycen Proper, 19, of Ohio
• Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of West Virginia
• Abraham Alvarez, 31, of Nebraska
• 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
• Michael Thomas, 32, of California

The indictment contains allegations that have not been proven in court. All defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.

Attorneys representing several of the defendants have indicated they intend to contest the charges. Counsel for Proper has said his client plans to plead not guilty, while an attorney for Scaggs said it is too early to comment in detail before reviewing the government's evidence.

Alleged UFC Event Plot Involved Drones and Sniper Positions

Prosecutors allege the suspects planned a coordinated drone diversion and sniper attack during the historic event on White House grounds. According to prosecutors, members of the group discussed using unmanned aerial vehicles as a diversion while armed attackers positioned at separate locations allegedly planned to fire on people evacuating the area.

Investigators further allege that the conspiracy included an internal organizational structure in which participants were assigned different responsibilities and levels of commitment.

Court filings also allege the suspects discussed targeting prominent government officials attending the event. Those allegations remain part of the pending criminal case and have not been tested before a jury.

Authorities say several suspects were arrested before the UFC Event, while others were taken into custody during the following days as investigators expanded the nationwide investigation.

Investigation began with a mother's warning

Federal officials have credited the investigation in part to information provided by the mother of one of the defendants.

According to investigators, she contacted law enforcement after becoming concerned about her son's recent behavior, conversations with individuals online and the accumulation of firearms.

Those calls prompted local authorities to notify federal investigators, ultimately leading to a broader investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies across several states.

Officials have described the tip as a significant factor in disrupting the alleged conspiracy before the planned attack date.

UFC Event Plot Had a Coordinated Federal Response

The investigation involved the FBI, the Department of Justice, U.S. Secret Service and numerous state and local law enforcement agencies.

Authorities executed arrests in multiple states while collecting evidence including electronic communications, travel records and other materials referenced in court filings.

Federal prosecutors allege some defendants continued discussing travel to Washington after learning another participant had been arrested, though those allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings.

The indictment replaces earlier criminal complaints filed in several federal districts and consolidates the case before a federal court in Ohio.

Case moves to federal court

The criminal proceedings will now enter the pretrial phase, during which prosecutors must present evidence supporting the allegations and defense attorneys will have the opportunity to challenge the government's case.

Because the charges involve alleged terrorism-related offenses and an alleged plot targeting federal officials, the proceedings are expected to receive heightened judicial scrutiny and extensive security.

Legal experts note that an indictment is not a determination of guilt but rather a formal accusation establishing that prosecutors believe sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.

Related Resources

• U.S. Department of Justice
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. Secret Service
• The White House