• Tycen Proper, 19, and Chandler Scaggs, 21, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with the alleged plot to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.
  • The duo entered pleas before U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus Jr. in Columbus, Ohio, who set a trial date for Sept. 14.
  • Each is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.
  • U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace II said the plot was disrupted and that “it seems pretty likely that someone or multiple people were driving to Washington, D.C., to do something.”

Trial set for Sept. 14 in alleged drone-sniper conspiracy

Tycen Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio, and Chandler Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, entered not-guilty pleas Thursday before U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus Jr. in Columbus, Ohio. Each is charged, as are the six other men indicted, with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.

The charges stem from an alleged plot to attack the Ultimate Fighting Championship event held at the White House on June 14, which prosecutors said called for explosive-laden drones and sniper fire targeting President Donald Trump and other senior officials. Authorities have said the plot was disrupted before any attack could take place.

Sargus set a trial date for Sept. 14.

U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace II said last week, as he detailed the group’s July 9 indictments, that the plot was foiled by law enforcement intervention. “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,” Gerace told reporters. “But, in my view, when I look at what’s been alleged there, it seems pretty likely that someone or multiple people were driving to Washington, D.C., to do something.”

A message seeking comment was left with Proper’s attorney. Scaggs’ lawyer declined to comment.