A US federal court sentenced eight protesters linked to the far-left "Antifa" movement to a combined total of up to 450 years in prison for rioting and shooting at police officers causing injury outside an immigration detention center in Texas on US Independence Day last year. The group leader, a former military reservist, received the harshest sentence of 100 years.
A US District Court judge in Fort Worth, Texas, read sentencing for eight members of the far-left "Antifa" movement, imposing prison terms ranging from 30 to 100 years, totaling 450 years collectively. The charges stemmed from the attack on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) "Prairieland" detention center in Alvarado.
The incident occurred on 4 July 2025, US Independence Day. Prosecutors stated that the armed Antifa group, dressed in black tactical gear, gathered before opening fire, throwing Molotov cocktails and fireworks at police officers and federal buildings, also vandalizing vehicles and guard posts. One police officer was shot and injured. The US judge condemned the actions as a "severe assault on democracy."
The heaviest sentence was given to Benjamin Hanil Song, a former US Marine reservist identified as the group leader and operation organizer. He was convicted of attempted murder of law enforcement officers and sentenced to 100 years. His mother, Hope Song, and his lawyer denied the accusations, saying he did not intend to harm anyone.
Song stated in a written statement that he fired his weapon that night because he believed police were preparing to fatally shoot another protester. Defense lawyers confirmed they will appeal, arguing these individuals are not terrorists but rather young people with compassionate hearts wanting their voices heard.
The other seven sentenced defendants include Marisela Rueda, who received 70 years; Autumn Hill (also known as Cameron Arnold), Savanna Batten, Zachary Ewett, Megan Morris (also Bradford Morris), and Elizabeth Soto, each sentenced to 50 years; and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada, sentenced to 30 years.
All were found guilty by a jury on multiple serious charges such as rioting, use of weapons and explosives, material support for terrorists, and obstruction of justice. Additionally, a ninth defendant, Ines Soto, and seven accomplices who pled guilty before trial are scheduled for sentencing on 1 July.
Todd Blanche, Acting US Attorney General, issued a statement condemning the perpetrators, saying, "Today's sentences clearly demonstrate that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement officers and public property will face swift and decisive justice with no exceptions."
The "Antifa" or anti-fascist movement became a target of former President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order last year designating the leaderless far-left movement as a "domestic terrorist organization." Human rights advocates criticized this, stating Antifa is a political ideology, not an organized group with clear leadership or membership, and that holding an ideology should not be criminalized with severe penalties.