COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a startling development, two of the eight men implicated in a foiled drone and sniper plot targeting President Donald Trump’s UFC cage-fighting event on the White House lawn have pleaded not guilty to federal conspiracy charges. The defendants, Tycen Proper, 19, from Danville, Ohio, and Chandler Scaggs, 21, from Chapmanville, West Virginia, appeared in court on Thursday shackled and dressed in jail attire before U.S. District Court Judge Edmund Sargus Jr.
Both individuals are facing serious allegations, including conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal territory, as well as targeting a federal government official. The trial has been set to commence on September 14.
U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace II expressed relief that law enforcement intervened before the alleged attack could occur. “What would have happened or could have happened, that’s never going to be clear, because, thank God, there was an intervention here and this thing was disrupted,” he stated to reporters, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations against the group.
According to the indictment, the conspiracy began in May, with the group expressing grievances over various issues, including government corruption and the handling of the Epstein files. They reportedly began gathering funds, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical equipment, and communication tools in preparation for the attack.
The planned assault was intended to coincide with UFC Freedom 250, a celebratory event marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, slated to take place on the South Lawn of the White House. Law enforcement officials reported that they were alerted to the potential threat just four days prior to the event.
One of the defendants allegedly informed investigators that the plan involved deploying explosive-laden drones into the crowd and shooting at attendees as they attempted to flee, highlighting the calculated nature of the conspiracy.
The Justice Department announced charges against seven individuals across the country, hailing from states including Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Nebraska, and California. Authorities indicated that these suspects held fringe conspiracy theories and intended for their actions to destabilize the government.
Additional defendants charged in Missouri, Nebraska, and California during the event weekend, along with others apprehended later in Washington and Missouri, are in the process of being transferred to Ohio for their trials. It is expected that they will be tried collectively.
Scaggs was taken into custody separately and was brought to Ohio ahead of the other out-of-state defendants. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case underscores the significant risks posed by domestic terrorism and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to preempt such threats.
