ALVARADO, TEXAS — A federal jury in Texas sentenced nine anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activists to prison terms in March 2026 after convicting them of various charges, including material support for terrorism. The charges originated from a Fourth of July protest in 2025 at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where a police officer sustained a gunshot wound.

Benjamin Song received a sentence of 100 years in prison for his role in the incident. Zachary Evetts, Autumn Hill, Savanna Batten, and Elizabeth Soto were each sentenced to 50 years in prison. Maricela Rueda was sentenced to 70 years in prison. Eight of the nine defendants were convicted of providing material support for terrorists.

Daniel Sanchez-Estrada was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of corruptly concealing a document or record. Prosecutors stated that Sanchez-Estrada moved left-wing zines and other materials at Rueda's request following her arrest. Sanchez-Estrada was not present at the protest.

During the protest, demonstrators arrived late at night to conduct a noise demonstration with fireworks, aiming to show solidarity with detainees inside. Some protesters vandalized cars in the parking lot, damaged a guard shack, slashed tires on a government van, and broke a security camera. A police officer who arrived at the scene drew his weapon, and Song then fired an AR-15 from the woods, hitting the officer in the shoulder. The police officer survived the shooting.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that this case marks the first instance where individuals the Trump administration identifies as antifa have faced terror-related charges. President Donald Trump designated antifa a domestic terrorist organization through an executive order in the fall of 2024. Prosecutors in the case said the attack on the officer was premeditated and part of a conspiracy, and they identified the activists as part of a North Texas antifa cell. The defendants were loosely affiliated through a local left-wing book club and gun group. All firearms involved in the incident were bought legally, and only one person discharged a weapon.

Philip Hayes, Benjamin Song's attorney, stated that his client would appeal the sentencing. Hayes said, "Our issue with this case has always been this isn't a bunch of terrorists." He characterized the group as "a bunch of kids and young adults who really have a really big heart and really wanted their voice to be heard."