Eight men have been indicted on federal terrorism and murder conspiracy charges over an alleged plot to attack a mixed martial arts event hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
According to prosecutors, the suspects, aged between 19 and 32, allegedly planned to use armed drones and sniper attacks to target high-profile attendees during the “UFC Freedom 250” event held on the White House South Lawn on June 14.
Authorities said the alleged plot was disrupted before the event, which coincided with Trump’s 80th birthday. The tournament proceeded without incident, drawing about 4,000 spectators to a temporary arena known as “The Claw.”
The defendants were charged in a two-count federal indictment returned by a grand jury in Columbus, Ohio. They face charges of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government property, including the planned killing of a federal official.
Prosecutors said the group, whose members are from several U.S. states, allegedly used online chat platforms to coordinate the attack, recruit participants and encourage one another to carry out the plan.
The eighth suspect, 21-year-old Charles Scaggs of West Virginia, was arrested this week. Investigators allege he was assigned the role of sniper in the planned attack.
The Justice Department said the federal indictment replaces earlier charges that had been filed against the suspects in multiple jurisdictions across the country.
The White House, one of the most heavily protected sites in the United States, is equipped with extensive surveillance systems, air-defense capabilities and specialized security personnel.
The “UFC Freedom 250” event marked the start of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence. Trump has survived several assassination attempts in recent years, including an incident in April in which an armed suspect allegedly tried to storm a White House Correspondents’ Association gala he was attending.
