FORT WORTH, Texas — Eight members of a North Texas Antifa cell were sentenced Tuesday for their roles in a violent attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado that included gunfire, explosives, vandalism, and the attempted murder of a police officer.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas, the eight defendants received a combined 450 years in federal prison following convictions stemming from the July 4, 2025 attack.
Benjamin Hanil Song, identified by prosecutors as the leader of the North Texas Antifa cell, received the longest sentence of 100 years in prison after being convicted of attempting to murder an Alvarado police officer during the attack.
The remaining defendants received the following sentences:
-
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 said the case marks the first sentencing of defendants affiliated with Antifa following President Donald Trump's September 2025 executive order designating the group as a Domestic Terrorist Organization.
Officer Shot During Attack
According to testimony presented during the 12-day trial, correctional officers at the Prairieland Detention Center called 911 after a group of individuals dressed in dark clothing and face coverings arrived at the facility late on the night of July 4, 2025.
Witnesses testified that members of the group launched fireworks and explosives, vandalized vehicles and property, destroyed security equipment, and confronted law enforcement officers responding to the scene.
An Alvarado police officer who arrived to assist detention center personnel began issuing commands to one of the suspects when Song allegedly shouted, "Get to the rifles," before opening fire.
Authorities said Song struck the officer in the neck. The wounded officer survived the attack.
Correctional officers at the facility were forced to take cover as gunfire erupted.
Most of the suspects were arrested shortly after the incident. Song remained a fugitive until July 15, 2025, when authorities located and captured him.
Prosecutors Identified Song as Group Leader
Federal prosecutors presented evidence that Song served as the leader of the North Texas Antifa cell and played a central role in organizing the attack.
According to trial testimony, Song recruited members through firearms training sessions, combat exercises, and contacts within ideologically aligned groups. Prosecutors said he acquired firearms that were later distributed to co-defendants and coordinated planning efforts before the attack.
Evidence introduced at trial included encrypted group chats in which members discussed reconnaissance of the detention center, security measures, firearms, medical kits, fireworks, and operational planning.
Jurors also heard testimony that Song encouraged participants to wear "black bloc" clothing, including dark outfits and face coverings designed to conceal identities and make individual participants difficult to distinguish during the attack.
Evidence Presented at Trial
The trial began on February 23 and lasted 12 days. Jurors heard testimony from 46 witnesses and reviewed more than 210 exhibits.
Federal prosecutors said the defendants arrived at the detention center equipped with 11 firearms, body armor, military-style first aid kits, fireworks, and other equipment.
Investigators testified that participants either turned off their phones or placed them in Faraday bags to avoid electronic tracking.
The government also introduced DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence, surveillance footage, location data, witness testimony, and communications recovered during the investigation.
Authorities alleged the group targeted the detention facility because it housed illegal immigrants awaiting deportation proceedings under the Department of Homeland Security.
Additional Sentencings Pending
A ninth defendant, Ines Soto, was convicted at trial but received a continuance and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1.
Seven additional defendants — Seth Sikes, Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas — pleaded guilty before trial to providing material support to terrorists. Their sentencings are also scheduled for July 1.
Each faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
Federal Officials Praise Investigation
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the sentences demonstrate that attacks against law enforcement officers and federal facilities will be aggressively prosecuted.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said the defendants' actions went far beyond protected speech or peaceful protest.
"Their terrorist acts, attempted murder, vandalism, and explosives launched at a detention facility were a far cry from a peaceful protest or First Amendment expression," Raybould said.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Dallas Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Alvarado Police Department, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Gatto, Shawn Smith, and Matt Capoccia prosecuted the case.
