EIGHT MEMBERS OF NORTH TEXAS ANTIFA CELL SENTENCED TO COMBINED 450 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ATTACK ON ICE DETENTION FACILITY

FORT WORTH, Texas — Eight members of what federal prosecutors describe as a North Texas Antifa cell have been sentenced to a combined 450 years in federal prison for their roles in a July 4, 2025 attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, an incident that included explosives, firearms, vandalism, and the attempted murder of a responding police officer.

The sentences were announced by the Department of Justice nearly one year after the attack on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.

Benjamin Hanil Song, identified by prosecutors as a leader of the group, received the longest sentence, 100 years in federal prison, after being convicted of offenses that included the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

Additional sentences included:

• Maricela Rueda — 70 years
• Cameron Arnold — 50 years
• Savanna Batten — 50 years
• Zachary Evetts — 50 years
• Bradford Morris — 50 years
• Elizabeth Soto — 50 years
• Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada — 30 years

Federal prosecutors stated that the sentences stem from a coordinated attack carried out at the Prairieland Detention Center on the night of July 4, 2025. According to evidence presented during a 12-day federal trial, members of the group arrived at the facility wearing “black bloc” clothing designed to conceal their identities and make participants difficult to distinguish from one another during the operation.

Jurors heard testimony from 46 witnesses and reviewed more than 210 exhibits during the trial involving nine indicted defendants. All nine were convicted. Ines Soto’s sentencing was continued and is scheduled separately.

According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants were members of a North Texas Antifa cell that prosecutors said was part of a broader militant network engaged in organized confrontations with law enforcement and government institutions.

Trial evidence presented by the government showed that the group spent months preparing for the attack. Prosecutors stated that members utilized encrypted communications platforms with auto-delete functions, employed aliases during planning discussions, conducted reconnaissance of the facility, and coordinated equipment and logistics before the operation.

According to testimony presented at trial, members brought firearms, body armor, military-style medical kits, and fireworks to the detention facility. Trial evidence showed that the group used fireworks as explosives during the attack while also vandalizing property, slashing tires, damaging surveillance equipment, and spray-painting structures at the facility.

The attack escalated when law enforcement officers responded to emergency calls from detention center personnel.

According to trial testimony, an Alvarado police officer arrived on scene and began issuing commands to individuals present at the facility. Prosecutors stated that body camera footage captured Song directing others to retrieve rifles before opening fire.

Federal authorities reported that the officer was struck in the neck during the shooting.

According to evidence presented during trial, correctional officers and responding personnel were forced to seek cover as gunfire erupted at the facility. The wounded officer survived.

Most participants were arrested shortly after the attack.

Federal prosecutors stated that Song initially escaped and remained a fugitive for approximately eleven days before authorities located and captured him on July 15, 2025.

Investigators presented evidence that included DNA analysis, fingerprint evidence, surveillance footage, geolocation data, seized communications, weapons, equipment recovered from the scene, and testimony from cooperating defendants.

Trial testimony also revealed that some members attended a daytime protest at the detention center earlier on July 4 before later returning during nighttime hours equipped with firearms, protective gear, and additional equipment.

Prosecutors further stated that the group had collectively acquired more than 50 firearms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area prior to the attack.

The convictions included offenses involving rioting, providing material support to terrorists, explosives violations, attempted murder of federal officers and employees, firearms offenses, obstruction-related crimes, and conspiracies involving the concealment of evidence connected to the attack.

Federal authorities also announced that seven additional defendants previously pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists and are scheduled to be sentenced on July 1, 2026.

During sentencing proceedings, U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman commented on the narrow circumstances that prevented greater loss of life during the attack, while Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor described the violence as an assault on democratic institutions and the rule of law.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Dallas Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations Dallas, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Alvarado Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Gatto, Shawn Smith, and Matt Capoccia prosecuted the case.

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