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Murder, Terror Charges for Suspects in Trump Cage Fight Attack Plot
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Crime & Justice

Murder, Terror Charges for Suspects in Trump Cage Fight Attack Plot

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Eight men face murder and terrorism conspiracy charges for allegedly plotting an armed drone and sniper attack on a White House event.
  • The alleged plotters, aged 19 to 32, met in online groups to plan the assault, which law enforcement officials say they foiled.
  • The attack was planned for the

Eight men have been indicted on murder and terrorism conspiracy charges for allegedly plotting a sophisticated attack on a White House mixed martial arts event. The suspects, aged 19 to 32, are accused of planning to use armed drones and snipers to target attendees at the "UFC Freedom 250" event on the White House South Lawn.

The eight alleged plotters were charged Thursday in a two-count federal indictment in Columbus, Ohio, the Justice Department said.

— Department of JusticeAnnouncing the indictment of the eight men.

Law enforcement officials stated they thwarted the plot before it could be executed on June 14. The event, which coincided with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, proceeded without incident. The indictment, unsealed Thursday in Columbus, Ohio, replaces earlier charges filed in various jurisdictions. The charges include conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory.

They were accused of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.

— Department of JusticeDetailing the federal charges.

Prosecutors allege the suspects, who came from different states, coordinated their plans and recruitment through online chat groups. The eighth suspect, 21-year-old Charles Scaggs of West Virginia, was arrested this week and reportedly assigned the role of sniper. The White House is a highly secured location, equipped with anti-aircraft capabilities and extensive surveillance.

Prosecutors said the plotters, who hailed from various states, had met in online chat groups to plan the attack, recruit members and encourage each other to carry out the assault.

— ProsecutorsDescribing the alleged coordination methods of the plotters.

The "UFC Freedom 250" event was part of the festivities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. This indictment follows a recent assassination attempt on Trump in April, when a gunman attempted to breach a White House Correspondents' Association gala he was attending.

The eighth suspect, 21-year-old Charles Scaggs of West Virginia, was arrested this week and had allegedly been assigned to be a sniper, prosecutors said.

— ProsecutorsIdentifying the eighth suspect and his alleged role.
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Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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