UNITED STATES — Eight men accused of participating in a plot to launch an attack on a mixed martial arts event hosted by United States President Donald Trump at the White House in June 2026 have been indicted on federal murder and terrorism conspiracy charges.
The United States Department of Justice announced on Thursday, July 9, 2026, that a grand jury in Columbus, Ohio, returned the two-count indictment against the suspects. The federal charges allege that the group conspired to provide material support to terrorists, commit murder on federal government territory, and assassinate a federal government official.
Okay News reports that law enforcement officials intercepted the plan in the period leading up to the June 14, 2026, event, which was titled UFC Freedom 250 and took place on the White House South Lawn. The event drew 4,000 spectators to a temporary arena known as The Claw and proceeded without disruption.
Prosecutors stated that the suspects range in age from 19 to 32 and originate from multiple states. The individuals allegedly utilized online chat groups to coordinate the logistics of the assault, recruit participants, and encourage the execution of the plan.
The strategy involved utilizing armed drones to strike the venue while snipers shot at selected targets during the resulting confusion, according to prosecutors. One of the suspects, 21-year-old Charles Scaggs of West Virginia, was apprehended by authorities this week under the allegation that he had been selected to operate as a sniper.
The federal indictment replaces the initial criminal complaints that had been submitted by prosecutors across separate legal jurisdictions.
