Ten individuals have been federally charged following a coordinated July 2025 attack at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, that left an Alvarado police officer wounded. The charges include attempted murder of federal agents and discharging firearms during a crime of violence.
According to a criminal complaint announced by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock, and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Dallas Acting Field Office Director Joshua Johnson, the defendants arrived at the facility dressed in black military-style clothing and launched fireworks as part of an organized assault.
After approximately ten minutes, some members of the group reportedly broke away and began spray-painting vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot. When an Alvarado police officer responded to the scene, a suspect hidden in nearby woods shot the officer in the neck. Another suspect allegedly fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers standing outside the facility.
The suspects fled the area but were quickly stopped by Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies. Authorities recovered AR-style rifles, spray paint, political flyers, and twelve sets of body armor. One suspect had multiple cell phones stored inside a Faraday bag, a device used to block signals and hinder location tracking.
The flyers found at the scene read, “FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!” and “FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS.” A flag with the phrase “RESIST FASCISM – FIGHT OLIGARCHY” was also recovered.
The following individuals were charged:
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Cameron Arnold
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Savannah Batten
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Nathan Baumann
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Zachary Evetts
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Joy Gibson
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Bradford Morris
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Maricela Rueda
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Seth Sikes
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Elizabeth Soto
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Ines Soto
Each faces three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
“Make no mistake, this was not a peaceful protest,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “This was an ambush on federal and local law enforcement officers. This increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas. Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be found and prosecuted using the toughest criminal statutes and penalties available.”
Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock added, “The incident at the Prairieland Detention Center underscores the dangers that officers face daily. We want to thank all the law enforcement agencies that promptly responded and assisted in apprehending the suspects. The FBI stands with our partners and pledges that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. We are committed to thoroughly investigating this weekend’s incident and will hold those responsible accountable for threatening the safety of law enforcement.”
Acting ERO Dallas Field Office Director Josh Johnson stated, “Violence, threats of violence, and attempts of vandalism at our ICE Facilities will not deter our officers at ICE from fulfilling their duties. This type of vigilante lawlessness is emblematic of the dangers federal, state, and local law enforcement officials face every day.”
If convicted, the defendants each face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Gatto and Shawn Smith. The investigation is ongoing and involves the FBI, ICE ERO, Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety, Alvarado Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
