President Donald Trump on Saturday highlighted the sentencing of eight defendants who received a combined 450 years in federal prison for their roles in a 2025 attack on a federal immigration detention center in Texas, calling the case a major victory in his administration’s efforts to combat violent extremism.
The sentences followed a 12-day federal trial in which prosecutors alleged the defendants carried out a coordinated attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4, 2025.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump pointed to the convictions as evidence of his administration’s commitment to law enforcement and public safety.
According to the Department of Justice, the defendants were members of what prosecutors identified as the North Texas Antifa Cell.
Federal prosecutors alleged the group arrived at the detention center wearing dark clothing and face coverings commonly associated with the “black bloc” protest tactic while carrying firearms, explosives, body armor and military-grade medical equipment.
During the attack, prosecutors said the group launched fireworks and other explosive devices at the facility, damaged government property and opened fire on responding law enforcement officers.
Authorities said Alvarado Police Officer Thomas Gross responded after detention center personnel called 911. During the confrontation, prosecutors alleged that defendant Benjamin Hanil Song shouted, “Get to the rifles!” before firing at officers.
Gross was struck in the neck during the exchange but survived.
Song, whom prosecutors identified as the group’s leader, received the longest sentence of the eight defendants. He was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison after being convicted of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and multiple terrorism-related offenses.
Maricela Rueda was sentenced to 70 years in prison. Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Zachary Evetts, Bradford Morris and Elizabeth Soto each received 50-year prison terms. Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada was sentenced to 30 years.
Combined, the eight defendants received 450 years in federal prison.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the sentences demonstrate that attacks on law enforcement officers and federal facilities will be prosecuted aggressively.
“The sentences handed down today make clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice,” Blanche said in a Justice Department statement.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau would continue investigating violent extremist groups and individuals responsible for attacks on law enforcement.
“Today’s sentencings show the FBI remains committed to identifying, locating, and dismantling Antifa and its funding networks across the country,” Patel said.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said the defendants’ actions extended beyond protected political speech, describing the attack as involving terrorism, attempted murder, vandalism and explosives.
During sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor described the attack as “an assault on democracy.” U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman said it was “by the grace of God” that the incident did not result in additional fatalities after a responding officer’s gunfire struck Song’s rifle during the exchange, per the Conservative Brief.
Defense attorneys disputed both the severity of the sentences and prosecutors’ characterization of the group. Some defendants denied being affiliated with Antifa, arguing they attended the demonstration in support of detained immigrants rather than as members of an organized extremist organization.
The Department of Justice has maintained that the evidence presented at trial demonstrated the defendants acted in a coordinated effort to carry out a violent attack on the federal detention facility and responding officers.
