Two Californians indicted for planned terrorist attack at UFC Freedom 250 event at White House
Two Southern California men are among eight people indicted Thursday over an alleged plot to carry out a terrorist attack at the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House last month.
Bryan O. Roa, 25, of Calimesa, and Michael A. Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, were charged alongside six other men in a two-count federal indictment alleging conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government property and to murder a federal government official.
Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California, is among the men charged for their roles in an alleged plot to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others.FBI
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Bryan Omar Roa, one of two Southern California men accused in a drone and sniper attack plot.FBI
“The defendants allegedly planned to murder the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, other federal officials, the Prime Minister of Israel, Elon Musk and “other high value targets” at UFC Freedom 250,” the Department of Justice said in a statement.
The group allegedly used Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok and Instagram to recruit members, coordinate training and develop plans for the June 14 attack, according to the indictment.
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Federal prosecutors allege the defendants stockpiled weapons, ammunition and tactical gear, conducted combat and marksmanship training, selected targets for the UFC Freedom 250 event and developed plans to carry out the attack and escape afterward.
The other defendants are Abraham H. Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Hamilton, Missouri; William L. S. Falkner, 21, of Belfair, Washington; Tycen J. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia.
The UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House with fireworks exploding over the Washington Monument.Jacquelyn Martin – Pool via CNP/Shutterstock
If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and up to life in prison for conspiracy to commit murder.
The indictment replaces a series of criminal complaints filed in multiple federal districts following arrests made in the days surrounding the June 14 event. Authorities said Scaggs, the eighth defendant named in Thursday’s indictment, was arrested in West Virginia earlier this week after investigators alleged he remained committed to participating in the attack even after other suspected conspirators had been taken into custody.
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According to prosecutors, the alleged conspiracy began in May 2026, when the defendants started acquiring firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, communications equipment, medical supplies and other materials that investigators say were intended to support terrorist acts. Federal authorities allege the men coordinated much of their activity through encrypted online chat groups and social media platforms.
The indictment also alleges the group established a tiered membership structure to classify participants based on their willingness to carry out violence. Prosecutors said so-called “Tier One” members committed to putting themselves “in harms [sic] way, break the law, and potentially go into hiding” as part of the alleged plot.
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Donald Trump and Dana White pose with guests inside the octagon at UFC Freedom 250 in front of the White House.Evan Vucci – Pool via CNP/Shutterstock
The charges build on allegations first detailed in criminal complaints unsealed last month. According to those court documents, investigators alleged the group planned a multi-phase attack that would have used explosive-laden drones to create panic before sniper teams targeted fleeing crowds and other designated “high value targets” attending the White House event.
Federal authorities previously identified Thomas as one of the alleged planners of the conspiracy. Court documents filed in June alleged he described himself to investigators as “the planner and advisor for the group” and admitted he wanted to guide others in carrying out attacks, even if he did not intend to personally participate. Investigators also alleged they recovered maps of the White House grounds, firearms and tactical equipment during the investigation.
Roa was previously accused of participating in the alleged planning under the online alias “Noble.” Court filings alleged investigators recovered firearms, tactical gear and social media posts appearing to show him participating in combat-style firearms training. Authorities also alleged Roa had discussed traveling to Washington, D.C., before mechanical problems with his vehicle derailed those plans.
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The investigation began after the family of one of the alleged conspirators contacted law enforcement over concerns about his behavior and recent firearms purchases, according to previously unsealed court records. The ensuing FBI investigation led to arrests in California, Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, Washington and West Virginia.
