Eight Men Charged in Alleged Plot to Attack UFC Event at White House

Federal prosecutors charged eight men Thursday with conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack at the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14. The two-count indictment alleges conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government property and to murder a federal government official.

The indictment names Bryan O. Roa, 25, of Calimesa, California; Michael A. Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Abraham H. Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Hamilton, Missouri; William L. U.S. Falkner, 21, of Belfair, Washington; Tycen J.

Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia.

Prosecutors said the defendants used Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok and Instagram to recruit members, coordinate training and develop plans. The group allegedly stockpiled weapons, ammunition and tactical gear and conducted combat and marksmanship training. Federal prosecutors allege the defendants selected targets for the event and developed plans to carry out the attack and escape afterward.

Conviction on the material-support count carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The indictment states the defendants allegedly planned to murder the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Israel, Elon Musk and other high-value targets during the event.

“The defendants allegedly planned to murder the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, other federal officials, the Prime Minister of Israel, Elon Musk and 'other high value targets' at UFC Freedom 250.”