Sentencing of Protesters for July 4 2025 Shooting at Texas Immigration Detention Center

On June 23 2026, a federal court in Fort Worth sentenced eight defendants to terms ranging from 30 to 100 years for a July 4 2025 shooting outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas (? 25 mi south of Fort Worth). Former Marine reservist Benjamin Song, convicted of attempted murder, received the maximum 100-year term. Seven others—Autumn Hill, Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Meagan Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada—were sentenced to 30-70 years; a ninth defendant, Ines Soto, is slated for sentencing in July.

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Prosecutors labeled the incident an act of domestic terrorism and asserted the eight were members of antifa, a loosely organized far-left militant umbrella that President Donald Trump designated a domestic terrorist organization in 2025. The Justice Department framed the case as the first sentencing of “defendants affiliated with antifa” under the new executive order. Earlier, in March 2026, the defendants were convicted on charges that included rioting, providing material support to terrorists, and, for Sanchez-Estrada, document-concealment.

Boston Globe

• Benjamin Song – 23-year-old former Marine reservist, organizer, convicted of attempted murder.

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• Defense counsel – Philip Hayes (Song’s attorney).

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• U.S. District Judge – Reed O’Connor, who presided over sentencing.

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• Prosecutor – Frank Gatto, leading the Justice Department team.

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• Acting Attorney General – Todd Blanche, who issued a statement on the sentences.

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• Family members – Hope Song (mother), Lydia Koza (wife of Autumn Hill), Amber Lowrey (sister of Savanna Batten).

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• Defendants: 8 (7 sentenced, 1 pending).

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• Sentences: 100 years (Song); 50 years each to Hill and Batten; 30-70 years for the remaining five.

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• Charges: attempted murder, rioting, supporting terrorism, material support to terrorists, document concealment.

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• Related prosecutions: 15 individuals charged in Minnesota for alleged antifa-linked immigration-protest activities.

Boston Globe

Judge O’Connor characterized the episode as “an assault on democracy” and emphasized the need for deterrence. Prosecutor Gatto argued that extremist beliefs justify “extra time in prison.” Acting Attorney General Blanche asserted that the sentences demonstrate that antifa-linked attacks on law-enforcement and federal facilities will meet “swift and uncompromising justice.” The Justice Department maintained that the defendants’ actions constituted terrorism and that the convictions reflect the administration’s broader crackdown on antifa.

CNN

Defense attorneys rejected the antifa label, describing the gathering as a peaceful protest with participants bringing firearms for self-defense. Hayes contended that Song’s shots were “suppressive fire” and that a ricochet bullet wounded the officer. Hope Song disputed that her son intentionally shot the officer. Family members, including Lydia Koza, expressed anger that “nobody died” yet the defendants received decades-long terms. Civil-rights observers warned the case could chill First-Amendment-protected protest activity.

CNN

Sources differ on whether Song directly hit the officer or whether a ricochet caused the injury. Prosecutors allege antifa affiliation, while defendants and their counsel deny any organizational ties. Evidence linking several defendants—such as Hill and Batten—to firearms or planning remains contested. Sanchez-Estrada’s involvement is unclear; he was not present at the shooting but was convicted solely for concealing personal documents.

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• “a bunch of terrorists. This is a bunch of kids and young adults who really have a really big heart and really wanted their voice to be heard.” — Philip Hayes, attorney for Benjamin Song

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• “The need to deter this type of conduct is high,” — U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor

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• “People with that kind of extremist beliefs need extra time in prison,” — Prosecutor Frank Gatto

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• “The sentences handed down today make clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice,” — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche

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• “The government wants to take her entire life away because she attended a protest. Nobody died.” — Lydia Koza, wife of Autumn Hill

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Benjamin Song’s legal team has announced an appeal of the 100-year sentence. Ines Soto’s sentencing is scheduled for July 2026. The case is expected to influence ongoing debates over the scope of the antifa terrorist designation and the protection of protest rights under the First Amendment.

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