Eight people have been indicted on federal charges in the US, after allegedly planning a terrorist attack on the UFC event held at the White House on June 14. According to US authorities, the plan included the use of drones, snipers and other weapons, while the targets were President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, billionaire Elon Musk and other senior officials.
The indictment, filed in Ohio, charges the defendants with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal territory, charges that are punishable by up to life in prison.
According to the Department of Justice, the defendants are Abraham Alvarez, Daniel Eskridge, William Faulkner, Tycen Proper, Jordan Rinker, Brian Roa, Chandler Skaggs and Michael Thomas.
Investigations show that the group had begun organizing the plan as early as May. The suspects had secured funds, firearms, ammunition, bulletproof vests, explosives, drones, medical equipment, communication devices and other materials to carry out the attack.
According to the indictment, communication and coordination took place through the platforms Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok and Instagram. The group also created an internal structure with “levels”, where participants were classified according to their role in the operation.
Court documents show that the “first-tier” members were willing to commit illegal acts, face danger and hide behind the attack. Prosecutors also allege that the group had agreed to kill any federal agency employees who would be on duty during the event.
US authorities say the suspects planned to travel from the states of Nebraska, Missouri, Washington, Ohio, West Virginia and California to Washington, and had also drawn up an escape plan after the attack.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the plot was discovered four days before the event, after intercepting conversations on the Signal app.
"Thanks to the swift action of the FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, several individuals are now in custody and the planned attack was prevented before it could be carried out," Patel said.
If found guilty, the defendants face severe sentences, with the charge of conspiracy to commit murder carrying a life sentence, while the charge of providing material support to terrorists carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
