A federal jury in Texas convicted eight defendants on Friday of providing material support to terrorists for their roles in a July 4, 2025, attack on the Prairieland ICE detention center in Alvarado. The incident involved fireworks, vandalism, and gunfire that injured a police officer. Prosecutors described the event as a premeditated terror attack inspired by antifa ideology.
The verdicts came after weeks of testimony in the trial of nine defendants accused in the plot against the Prairieland facility in North Texas. The attack occurred on July 4, 2025, when the group set off fireworks along the facility's tree line, vandalized property, and shot at responding police officers. One officer, Lt. Gross, was struck in the neck with a bullet but has fully recovered, according to Alvarado Police Chief Teddy May.
All eight defendants—Autumn Hill (formerly Cameron Arnold), Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Meagan Morris (formerly Bradford Morris), Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto—were found guilty on the charge of riot. Three of them, Autumn Hill, Meagan Morris, and Elizabeth Soto, were also convicted of providing material support to terrorists. Benjamin Song faced additional charges including attempted murder but was found not guilty on those counts. Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada was convicted on charges related to concealing documents.
Prosecutors presented surveillance footage, phone location data, seized weapons, and tactical gear as evidence. Witnesses, including cooperating defendants, described group chats, planning meetings, and efforts to help Song evade capture after the shooting. Defense attorneys argued the group was protesting ICE policies and challenged witness credibility, but none presented their own cases.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated in a news release: "Antifa is a domestic terrorist organization that has been allowed to flourish in Democrat-led cities – not under President Trump. 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."
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: "Terrorists who target our agents will face the full force of federal law."
Alvarado Police Chief Teddy May welcomed the verdicts, saying: "It's unfortunate for Mr. (Benjamin) Song. He made some poor decisions, and it seems like he's now going to have to be paying his debt to society." He added that the convictions bring closure for the injured officer and his department.
The Trump administration designated antifa as a domestic terror group last September, a move critics described as targeting an ideology rather than an organized entity. Supporters of the defendants called the charges outrageous, arguing the group intended a peaceful protest.
Benjamin Song faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison. The other convicted defendants face 10 to 60 years, while Sanchez-Estrada faces up to 40 years. Seven additional defendants pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists and face up to 15 years each. Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman.
