by WorldTribune Staff / 247 Real News June 23, 2026

For their roles in the July 4, 2025 ambush of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, eight members of a North Texas Antifa terror cell received federal sentences on Tuesday which ranged from 30 years to 100 years in prison, the Department of Justice announced. Combined, the sentences add up to 450 years,

The cell plotted and carried out an attack on the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado.

The attack led to the first federal Antifa terrorism prosecution — and later convictions — in U.S. history, independent journalist Andy Ngo reported.

U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman sentenced ringleader Benjamin Hanil Song to 100 years in prison. Song was convicted of the most serious offenses in the case, including attempted murder and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Prosecutors proved at trial that Song shot Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross in the neck during the Fourth of July attack last year.

Maricela Rueda was sentenced to 70 years in prison.

Bradford Morris, also known as “Meagan Morris,” was sentenced to 50 years.

Elizabeth Soto was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Because of the large number of defendants, Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor simultaneously sentenced four additional convicts in a separate courtroom, Ngo reported.

Cameron Arnold, also known as “Autumn Hill,” received 50 years in prison.

Zachary Evetts received 50 years.

Savanna Batten received 50 years in prison.

Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada received 30 years in prison.

The defendants were convicted by a federal jury in March. Their prison sentences are the longest in American history for convicted Antifa members.

“The sentences handed down today make clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Their violent extremism has no place in our country, and the Department of Justice will continue to aggressively investigate, disrupt, and prosecute those who threaten law enforcement officers or undermine the rule of law.”

Eight additional co-defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on July 1. They include Ines Soto, Rebecca Morgan, Susan Elaine Kent, Seth Sikes, Joy Abigail Gibson, Lynette Read Sharp, Nathan Baumann and John Phillip Thomas. Most previously entered guilty pleas and cooperated with federal prosecutors.

In addition to their federal convictions, the 16 convicted defendants and six additional co-defendants still face separate state charges in Johnson County, including allegations of domestic terrorism, conspiracy, and attempted murder.

“Jurors found the defendants guilty of offenses including providing material support to terrorists, rioting, conspiracy involving explosives and related crimes,” Ngo wrote. “The trial featured extensive evidence regarding the group’s ideology, planning and preparation for the attack.”

Video evidence submitted at the trial showed the Antifa terrorists arriving dressed in black and equipped with firearms, body armor, medical supplies, and explosive devices.

According to testimony, Song acquired 11 firearms and distributed them among members of the group before the operation.

The group used explosive fireworks to lure federal agents and facility personnel from the detention center before opening fire.

Lt. Gross survived the shooting. Jurors were shown his blood-stained ballistic vest during testimony.

Investigators recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition and electronic devices stored in Faraday bags designed to block signals. Authorities also later recovered Antifa anarchist propaganda. Testimony established that members of the group had trained together and collectively acquired more than 50 firearms before the attack.

Defense attorneys argued the defendants were engaged in a “protest” and that the shooting was not planned. Jurors rejected those arguments after two days of deliberations.

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  Eight Texas Antifa members get combined 450 years in prison, WorldTribune.com