Benjamin Song Gets 100 Years After Texas ICE Center Attack
Eight of the defendants convicted in the Texas ICE detention center case were sentenced on Tuesday, and the punishments were steep. The longest sentence went to Benjamin Song, who received 100 years in prison.
The sentencing came after a March jury verdict tied to the July 4, 2025, attack on the Prairieland ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas. Prosecutors said the group planned the assault ahead of time and acted out of antifa ideology. During the attack, the defendants set off fireworks, vandalized property, and fired at police officers who responded to the scene.
One officer was shot in the neck and survived.
According to the sentencing details released in the case, Maricela Rueda received 70 years in prison. Autumn Hill got 50 years. Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Meagan Morris, and Elizabeth Soto also received 50-year sentences. Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada was sentenced to 30 years.
The case brought heavy charges. The defendants were found guilty on riot charges, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, using and carrying an explosive, three counts of attempted murder of an officer, three counts of discharging a firearm during a violent crime, corruptly concealing a document and conspiracy to conceal documents.
Officials said the case marked a major moment for federal prosecutors in Texas. It was described as the first-ever federal Antifa terrorism trial in the state.
“Today’s verdict shows the FBI remains committed to identifying, locating, and dismantling Antifa and its funding networks across the country,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Acts of violence against our law enforcement partners will not be tolerated, and we continue our work to protect communities across the country from domestic terrorism.”
“Antifa is a domestic terrorist organization that has been allowed to flourish in Democrat-led cities — not under President Trump,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s verdict on terrorism charges will not be the last as the Trump administration systematically dismantles Antifa and finally halts their violence on America’s streets.”
“Nine North Texas Antifa Cell operatives were convicted today by a federal jury in Fort Worth, Texas for their roles in rioting, using weapons and explosives, providing material support to terrorists, obstruction, and attempted murder of an Alvarado police officer and unarmed correctional officers at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center on July 4, 2025, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould,” the DOJ said.
“In a 12-day trial that began on February 23, 2026, jurors heard testimony from more than 45 witnesses and considered over 210 exhibits supporting the charges against nine indicted defendants: Cameron Arnold, a/k/a Autunm Hill, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, a/k/a Meagan Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada,” the Justice Department said.
“Seven others, Seth Sikes, Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas, pled guilty last year to one count of providing material support to terrorists,” the DOJ said.