ICE protester convicted in attack in Texas gets 100-year sentence

ICE Protesters Convicted in Texas Attack Receive Decades in Prison

Eight Antifa Members Sentenced for Role in Immigrant Facility Attack

ICE protester convicted in attack in Texas - On June 22, 2026, eight individuals linked to an Antifa group were handed down prison sentences for their involvement in an assault targeting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Texas. Among them, one defendant received a 100-year term, as documented in federal court records. The attack, which occurred on July 4 of the previous year, left a police officer injured and marked a significant escalation in the group’s confrontations with law enforcement.

Benjamin Song, the individual who shot an Alvarado Police Department officer during the incident, was sentenced to a century in prison. According to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY, Song fired at the officer’s neck, causing severe injuries. The officer, though initially wounded, managed to return fire before being transported to a hospital for treatment. This event unfolded at the Prairieland Detention Center, located near the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Other defendants in the case were also given lengthy prison terms. Maricela Rueda received 70 years, while Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Elizabeth Soto, Autumn Hill, and Meagan Morris were each sentenced to 50 years. Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada, another defendant, was sentenced to 30 years. The remaining defendants, including Seth Sikes and Nathan Baumann, had previously pled guilty to charges of providing material support to terrorists and were scheduled for sentencing on July 1.

The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, emphasized in a press release that the sentencing of the eight individuals underscores the government’s commitment to holding Antifa accountable for violent acts. The charges included rioting, weapon use, and attempted murder of an officer, as well as support for terrorism. The convictions came just before the one-year anniversary of the attack, highlighting the ongoing impact of the incident.

Antifa Designated as Terrorist Organization Amid Legal Crackdown

The indictment of the defendants followed President Donald Trump’s designation of Antifa as a major terrorist organization in September 2025. This move was part of a broader strategy to target left-wing political violence, with the administration aiming to disrupt the group’s funding networks. The legal classification of Antifa as a terrorist entity has intensified scrutiny of its activities, particularly those involving coordinated attacks on federal facilities.

Antifa, short for "anti-fascist," is not a centralized political group but rather a decentralized movement. According to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, it lacks a formal organizational structure and operates through loosely affiliated individuals. This characteristic has made it challenging to track, as members often work independently or in small cells to plan and execute attacks.

Prosecutors argued that the group’s decentralized nature allowed them to act with minimal oversight. Before the July 4 attack, members used an encrypted messaging app to discuss the layout of the Prairieland facility, the positions of nearby police stations, and the materials they would bring, including firearms. The planning phase included detailed coordination, with some members wearing body armor and carrying weapons to ensure their effectiveness during the assault.

Attack Details and Aftermath of the July 4 Incident

The incident on July 4, 2025, saw at least 11 individuals dressed in black arrive at the ICE facility. The group’s actions included launching fireworks at the building, a tactic designed to create chaos and distract security personnel. This initial disruption set the stage for the more direct confrontation that followed when the officer intervened.

As the attack progressed, the officer’s presence triggered a targeted response. At least one member of the group opened fire, striking the officer in the neck. Despite the injury, the officer managed to return fire, potentially preventing further casualties. The attack also resulted in vandalism, with the facility and several police vehicles marked by graffiti slogans such as "traitor" and "ICE Pig."

Following the attack, law enforcement swiftly apprehended the defendants. The charges against them included a range of offenses, from attempted murder to weapon-related crimes. The indictment, filed on October 16, 2025, outlined how the group operated as an "Antifa Cell" that organized the attack with specific intent to undermine ICE operations. The charges against Hill and Evetts, who were central to the planning, included providing material support to terrorists, a key component of the government’s case.

Reactions from Law Enforcement and Legal Officials

"The sentences handed down today make clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice," stated acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. This statement reflects the administration’s determination to hold the group accountable for its violent actions.

"Today’s sentencings show the FBI remains committed to identifying, locating, and dismantling Antifa and its funding networks across the country," said FBI Director Kash Patel. Patel emphasized that the FBI’s efforts to combat domestic terrorism will continue, ensuring that acts of violence against law enforcement are not tolerated.

The trial, which concluded in March 2026, revealed the extent of the group’s coordination and the severity of the charges. The evidence presented included encrypted messages, weapon placements, and witness accounts of the attack’s execution. Prosecutors highlighted that the group’s actions were premeditated, with clear intentions to cause harm and disrupt government operations.

Benjamin Song’s defense attorney had previously argued that the individuals at the ICE facility were "loosely affiliated" and "mostly don’t know each other well," despite their shared goal of opposing government overreach. This point was reiterated in court, suggesting that the group’s decentralized structure allowed for flexibility in planning and execution.

The sentencing of the eight defendants marks a pivotal moment in the legal response to Antifa’s activities. With one individual facing a 100-year term, the case sets a precedent for how the government intends to address violent protests. The upcoming sentencing of the ninth defendant, Ines Soto, will further solidify the group’s accountability.

As the trial’s outcomes take effect, the focus remains on the group’s role in the attack and its implications for domestic terrorism. The actions of the Antifa Cell in Texas have sparked a broader conversation about the balance between protest and violence, with law enforcement agencies vowing to continue their efforts to dismantle such networks.