Overview
- A federal grand jury in Columbus returned indictments on July 9 charging eight men with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder for an alleged plot tied to the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn.
- Prosecutors say the plan used explosive-laden drones to force an evacuation and then snipers to shoot high-ranking officials and fleeing attendees, a tactic described in charging documents as central to the conspiracy.
- Law enforcement arrested seven suspects around the weekend of the event and a further suspect this week in West Virginia, with authorities identifying the 21-year-old arrested later as an alleged intended sniper.
- Investigators say planning began in May and the group collected money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical supplies and communications gear while organizing through chat apps and a tiered recruitment system.
- The indictment replaces earlier state charges and exposes defendants to penalties from up to 15 years for material support to potential life for murder conspiracies while federal prosecutors continue the investigation and prepare for pretrial proceedings.