2 IE Men Facing Life In Prison If Convicted In Alleged Plot To Attack UFC Freedom 250 Event

COLUMBUS, OHIO — A federal grand jury has indicted a Calimesa man and seven others in connection with an alleged plot to attack last month's UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.

The two-count indictment was returned on Thursday, July 9, in Columbus, Ohio.

Brian O. Roa, 25, of Calimesa was among the eight men named in the indictment that charges each of the defendants with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, as well as conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.

In addition to Roa, another Inland Empire man was named in the indictment: Michael A. Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills. The other six 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.

Starting in May 2026, the defendants conspired to provide material support and resources to terrorists in the form of money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical equipment, communication equipment, personnel and other services, according to the indictment.

The eight men participated in online chat groups and forums on Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok and Instagram where they allegedly developed plans for attacks, recruited members and encouraged each other to prepare for attacks, including the alleged attack on the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 event.

The indictment details that, as part of their conspiracies, the defendants allegedly created a tier system to classify participants. Tier one conspirators allegedly committed to put themselves “in harms [sic] way, break the law, and potentially go into hiding.”

Besides amassing weapons, ammunition, tactical gear and other supplies, the defendants also allegedly engaged in marksmanship and combat training, agreed on targets for the UFC Freedom 250 event and created operational plans to commit the attack and escape afterward.

The defendants allegedly planned to assassinate President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, other federal officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk and “other high value targets” at the UFC Freedom 250 event.

If found guilty on all charges, the eight men could each face life in prison.