Nine members of a North Texas Antifa cell have been indicted, and seven others charged, in connection with a July 4th attack on a federal immigration detention center in Alvarado, Texas, which included the attempted murder of a police officer. The indictments, totaling 12 counts, name Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada with various offenses including intent to commit violence, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use an explosive, and attempted murder of officers.
Additional defendants, Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, John Thomas, and Seth Sikes, face charges related to providing material support to terrorists. Federal prosecutors allege that the Antifa members, operating as a violent cell aiming to overthrow the U.S.
government, coordinated the attack using encrypted messaging apps with auto-delete functions and monikers to conceal their identities. The group allegedly acquired over 50 firearms in the Dallas and Fort Worth area and conducted reconnaissance before the riot.
During the attack on the Prairieland Detention Center, which housed illegal immigrants awaiting deportation, defendants dressed in "black bloc" attire, set off and threw fireworks, vandalized vehicles, and a guard shack. When an Alvarado police officer responded to the 911 calls, Benjamin Song allegedly yelled to get rifles and opened fire, striking the officer in the neck.
Other correctional officers present were unarmed and sought cover. Song, considered a leader by some in the cell, fled but was apprehended on July 15th.
The Justice Department, with FBI Director Kash Patel and Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson emphasizing the prosecution of these individuals as domestic terrorists, stated this is the first indictment against a group of violent Antifa cell members.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi declared the Department of Justice is now prosecuting Antifa like other violent groups such as Tren de Aragua and MS-13, signaling more such cases are expected.
The nine indicted defendants are scheduled for arraignment on December 3rd.
