Antifa group members receive combined 450 years for attack on Texas ICE facility

A group of eight North Texas antifa cell operatives will serve a combined 450 years in prison for carrying out an attack on an federal immigration detention center, according to a Tuesday statement from the Justice Department. This is the first antifa-related sentencing delivered since President Donald Trump designated the umbrella term for militarist, left-wing anarchist groups as a terror organization.

All eight were convicted in March for participating in a violent riot that prompted an attack at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, last July 4. At least 11 individuals, dressed in all-black with face coverings, started throwing lit fireworks at the facility. Participants also vandalized parked vehicles and the facility's guard shack, according to the DOJ.

Trial evidence showed the operatives brought 11 firearms, body armor, and 11 military-grade first aid kits with tourniquets, according to the DOJ. The situation turned violent when the group’s leader, Benjamin Song, began shooting at police officers responding to calls from facility employees. Song was convicted of attempted murder after he struck an Alvarado police officer in the neck. That officer has since fully recovered and returned to duty.

U.S. District Court Judge Mark T. Pittman credited Song’s survival of the attack to a guardian angel. It’s by the grace of God that Song is still alive and that no one was killed during the attack, Pittman said during sentencing.

How did the sentences break down? Song received a total of 100 years in prison for his role in leading the attack, and co-defendant Maricela Rueda received 70 years. Co-defendants Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Zachary Evetts, Bradford Morris, and Elizabeth Soto each received 50 years in prison, while Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada received 30 years.

Antifa’s violent extremism has no place in America, according to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. These sentences make it clear that antifa terrorists who attack police and federal facilities will receive quick and uncompromising justice, he added.

What about the other antifa members who participated in the attack? Another convicted co-conspirator, Ines Soto, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1. Another seven individuals pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists and are also scheduled to be sentenced on July 1.