FORT WORTH, Texas — A federal jury in Fort Worth has convicted nine individuals following a 12-day trial for their roles in a violent attack on the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado on July 4, 2025. The case involved allegations of rioting, explosives, providing material support to terrorists, obstruction and the attempted murder of a responding police officer.
The trial began February 23, 2026. Jurors heard testimony from more than 45 witnesses and reviewed more than 210 pieces of evidence presented by federal prosecutors. The charges were announced by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Defendants
The defendants convicted by the jury are Cameron Arnold (also known as Autumn Hill), Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris (also known as Meagan Morris), Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada.
Seven additional defendants, Seth Sikes, Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp and John Thomas, pleaded guilty in 2025 to one count of providing material support to terrorists and are awaiting sentencing.
Case Details
Evidence presented during the trial showed that prosecutors believe the defendants were members of a North Texas Antifa cell that organized the attack on the detention center. Prosecutors described the group as part of a militant network that planned confrontations with law enforcement and federal agencies.
Testimony revealed that late on the night of July 4, at least eleven individuals arrived at the Prairieland facility dressed in “black bloc,” a tactic involving dark clothing and face coverings designed to conceal identities and make individuals difficult to distinguish from one another.
According to prosecutors, members of the group brought multiple firearms, body armor, military-style medical kits and fireworks that investigators described as explosives. Evidence showed the group launched fireworks toward the facility, vandalized property and vehicles and damaged surveillance equipment.
Witnesses testified that detention officers called 911 as the attack unfolded. When an Alvarado police officer arrived and began issuing commands, prosecutors said Benjamin Song yelled “get to the rifles” before opening fire. The officer was struck in the neck, while correctional officers who were unarmed took cover and fled the area.
Most of the suspects were arrested near the scene shortly after the incident. Song initially escaped and remained at large until July 15, 2025, when he was captured with assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
Prosecutors also presented evidence showing that members of the group had prepared for the attack in advance. Investigators testified that some of the defendants used encrypted messaging applications with auto-delete features to coordinate plans and avoid detection. Messages recovered by investigators included discussions about reconnaissance of the detention center and what equipment to bring, including rifles, medical supplies and fireworks.
Phone location data introduced at trial indicated that several defendants turned off their phones or placed them in Faraday bags to block tracking on the night of the attack. Investigators also testified that the group collectively obtained more than 50 firearms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area prior to the incident.
Witnesses also described a meeting the night before the attack during a “gear check,” where prosecutors said Song suggested freeing detainees held at the facility and instructed participants to bring rifles and wear black bloc clothing.
The jury convicted the defendants on multiple counts, including rioting with the intent to commit acts of violence, providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to use explosives during a riot.
Benjamin Song was additionally convicted of attempted murder of a federal officer and multiple counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada was convicted of corruptly concealing documents after prosecutors said he transported materials related to the group’s activities in an attempt to prevent them from being used in a federal investigation. Sanchez-Estrada and Maricela Rueda were also convicted of conspiracy to conceal evidence tied to the attack.
Song faces a minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in federal prison. Arnold, Evetts, Morris, Rueda, Batten, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto face sentences ranging from 10 to 60 years. Sanchez-Estrada faces up to 40 years in prison.
The seven defendants who previously pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists each face up to 15 years in prison.
Sentencing hearings for all sixteen defendants will be scheduled before U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who presided over the trial.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Dallas field office with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations, 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. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Gatto, Shawn Smith and Matt Capoccia.
