Federal prosecutors in Ohio indict eight men over an alleged plan to carry out a drone and sniper attack at a White House UFC cage-fighting event held in June. Multiple outlets report that the charges include murder conspiracy and terrorism-related conspiracy. The indictment describes two separate conspiracies: one involving alleged provision of material support to terrorists, and another alleging plans to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.
Several sources state the prosecutors’ theory includes an intent to target high-profile figures connected to the event. One outlet specifies alleged targets including Donald Trump, along with other public figures, while another describes “other high value targets” in addition to Trump.
The reports also note that at least two defendants—named in coverage by one outlet—appear in court and plead not guilty, responding to the charges returned by the federal grand jury. Across the reports, the central common element is that authorities say the attack was thwarted and that the indicted men are accused of planning or supporting the threatened assault. The cases proceed through the federal court process.
