Nine members of Antifa have been convicted for their roles in a shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility last summer.
During the 12-day federal trial, jurors heard evidence and testimony surrounding the July 4 ambush attack at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, which resulted in a police officer being shot in the neck.
Testimony and evidence received by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Texas showed that the nine individuals involved in the shooting were members of a North Texas Antifa cell. Following the attack, Antifa was designated a domestic terrorist organization by President Donald Trump.
The nine indicted defendants are Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada.
All but Rolando were convicted of riot with intent to commit an act of violence, providing material support to terrorists, and conspiracy to use and carry an explosive.
Song—who is believed to be the leader of most of the cell members involved in the shooting—has also been convicted of attempted murder of U.S. officers and employees and discharging a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Rueda has also been charged with conspiracy to conceal documents, while Estrada faces that same charge in addition to a separate charge of corruptly concealing a document or record.
Seven other accomplices in the incident pleaded guilty last year to providing material support to terrorists.
The 16 defendants are each facing prison sentences ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life in prison.
“This case marks a historic moment as it represents the nation’s initial federal indictment targeting a coordinated group of Antifa cell members engaged in violent criminal activity,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “The charges demonstrate our unwavering commitment to confronting domestic terrorism and protecting our communities from organized threats.”
According to trial testimony and presented evidence, on July 4 at least eleven of the individuals involved in the case showed up at the Prairieland facility in Alvarado armed with firearms, body armor, military-grade first-aid kits for treating gunshot wounds, and were allegedly dressed in identity-concealing “black bloc” clothing. Fingerprint evidence linked many of the defendants to the scene.
Upon arriving at the facility, the defendants reportedly shot and threw fireworks described as explosives at the facility and vandalized vehicles and a guard shack before an Alvarado police officer responded to 911 calls.
According to police body camera footage, Benjamin Song opened fire on a police officer and a correctional officer. The police officer was struck in the neck but survived the incident.
Most of the cell members were arrested at the scene, except Song, who escaped and was later captured on July 15.
The defendants’ pending sentencing is in front of U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who oversaw the trial.
