by Alvarado, Texas – Several members of a North Texas Antifa Cell are scheduled to plead guilty this week and next in connection with a violent attack on law enforcement officers at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4, 2025, federal authorities announced. This marks one of the first instances in the United States in which individuals have been indicted on terrorism-related charges for their alleged Antifa activities.
Terrorism and Assault Allegations
A grand jury indictment charged nine operatives from the group with providing material support to terrorists during the attack, which targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson described the indictment as “the first in the country against a group of violent Antifa cell members” and emphasized that the charges address the coordinated assault by an anti-ICE, anti-law enforcement, anarchist group.
Following a presidential designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization in September, federal agencies were directed to investigate and dismantle illegal operations linked to Antifa, according to The Center Square.
Details of the July 4 Attack
Authorities allege that the cell members planned an ambush on ICE officers, equipping themselves with black tactical gear, body armor, and firearms. During the attack, they fired fireworks at the facility, shot at an Alvarado police officer and unarmed corrections staff, and vandalized the property. Flyers found at the scene called for political action against ICE, reading: “fight ICE terror with class war, free all political prisoners.”
The indictment asserts that Benjamin Song, identified as the group leader, opened fire on officers, striking the Alvarado police officer in the neck before fleeing, which prompted a week-long manhunt ending in his arrest.
Charges and Guilty Pleas
The nine members facing terrorism charges include: Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada. Their arraignment is scheduled for December 3, 2025. Charges include:
- Riot with intent to commit violence
- Conspiracy to use and carry explosives during a riot
- Attempted murder of federal and local officers
- Discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
- Document concealment
Seven additional individuals were charged with rioting, weapons and explosives use, material support to terrorists, obstruction, and attempted murder, while six others — Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas — were charged with providing material support to terrorists. Seth Sikes faces a single count of material support to terrorists. Guilty plea hearings for Baumann, Gibson, Thomas, Sharp, and Sikes are scheduled this week, with Morgan set to plead guilty next week.
Potential Sentences
If convicted, Song, Arnold, Evetts, Morris, and Rueda face 10 years to life in prison. Batten, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto face 10 to 50 years, while Sanchez-Estrada faces up to 20 years per count. The material support charges for Baumann, Gibson, Kent, Morgan, Sharp, Thomas, and Sikes carry up to 15 years in prison.
Multi-Agency Investigation
The investigation was led by FBI Dallas, with assistance from ICE-ERO Dallas, ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety, Alvarado Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Gatto and Shawn Smith are prosecuting the case. ICE officials stressed the coordinated law enforcement response as essential to holding the perpetrators accountable and protecting the community.
ICE Dallas Acting Field Office Director Robert Cerna stated:
“Four months ago, in an attempt to sow anarchy and chaos, a coordinated attack was carried out on the Prairieland Detention Center, leaving one of our officers injured. The indictments are a first step in holding these cowardly thugs accountable and ensuring justice is served.”
Do you believe federal terrorism charges against domestic extremist groups are effective in deterring future attacks? Share your perspective in the comments below.
