Eight men indicted on charges of plotting drone attack at White House UFC event

Federal prosecutors in Columbus, Ohio, indicted eight men Thursday on charges of conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. The indictment alleges the men began planning the operation in May, collecting firearms, ammunition, explosives, drones, and other equipment while communicating through Signal, Discord, TikTok, and Instagram.

Alleged targets and methods Prosecutors said the group identified President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as potential targets at the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the South Lawn on June 14.

One defendant told investigators they planned to detonate explosive-laden drones near the temporary venue and then shoot spectators as they fled, according to a federal affidavit.

Code names and arrests The men used online aliases including "Shriveled Shlong," "Whiskey Six," and "Viper of the S.O.G.," authorities said. Abraham H. Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, operated under the name "Shepard" and served as the group's leader, prosecutors stated.

Tycen J. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, known as "Prox," allegedly spent $3,000 of graduation money on weapons, while William L. U.S. Falkner, 21, of Belfair, Washington, known as "Pepsi," is accused of using a 3D printer to make drones. Jordan W. Rinker, 28, of St.

Joseph, Missouri, known as "Shriveled Shlong," Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, known as "Viper of the S.O.G.," and Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Hamilton, Missouri, known as "Fulcrum," were also charged. Michael A. Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California, known as "Whiskey Six," and Bryan O.

Roa, 25, of Calimesia, California, known as "Noble," met to train in marksmanship and combat tactics, the indictment states. Proper and Roa quit their jobs before the planned attack and the group made plans to travel to Washington, D.C., prosecutors said.