Two of eight men indicted on murder and terrorism conspiracy charges for their alleged roles in a thwarted drone and sniper attack on a White House UFC cage-fighting show pleaded not guilty Thursday.
Tycen Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, and Chandler Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, entered their pleas before U.S. District Court Judge Edmund Sargus Jr. in Columbus, Ohio. Both are charged, along with six others, with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.
Sargus set their trial date for September 14. U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace II stated that the group's alleged plans were disrupted before they could be fully realized, but indicated that individuals were likely en route to Washington, D.C., to carry out an attack.
According to the indictment, the plot began in May. The group allegedly amassed funds, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical equipment, and communications gear, citing grievances related to government corruption, data centers, and the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files.
The planned attack was aimed at a UFC cage-fighting event, UFC Freedom 250, scheduled to be held on the South Lawn of the White House to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary. Law enforcement officials reportedly became aware of the potential threat four days prior to the event.
An affidavit stated that one of the defendants informed investigators of a plan to fly explosive-laden drones into the event and then shoot fleeing attendees. The Justice Department announced charges against seven individuals from various states, including Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Nebraska, and California. Officials described the suspects as holding fringe conspiracy theories and intending to destabilize the government.
Four alleged conspirators were charged in Missouri, Nebraska, and California on the weekend of the event, with two more charged approximately a week later in Washington and Missouri. These individuals are in the process of being transferred to Ohio to face charges. Their cases have been consolidated in Sargus' court, and they are expected to be tried together. Scaggs was the last to be arrested but was brought to Ohio before the other defendants charged out-of-state.