Overview
- Two men, Tycen Proper and Chandler Scaggs, pleaded not guilty Thursday and a U.S. district judge set their trial to begin Sept. 14 in Columbus.
- A July 9 federal indictment charges eight men with two counts: conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal property and of federal officials.
- Prosecutors say the probe began after a family tip and grew from seizures made on June 10 into a multi-state investigation that disrupted plans before the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn.
- Court filings and investigators describe online organizing in May on encrypted apps and social platforms and the accumulation of firearms, body armor, explosives, drones, medical gear, and communications equipment.
- One defendant reportedly described plans to use explosive-laden drones then shoot fleeing crowds and listed high-profile targets including President Trump and other federal figures; authorities are still moving out-of-state defendants to Ohio and preparing pretrial proceedings.