Eight members of a North Texas Antifa cell are scheduled to be sentenced in federal court for their convictions in what federal officials call the nation’s first federal domestic terrorism trial targeting a coordinated group of Antifa operatives. The sentencing hearings come nearly a year after a violent, midnight ambush at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4, 2025.
Background on the Ambush
A federal jury convicted nine defendants in March following a 12-day trial that detailed a highly coordinated attack involving tactical gear, encrypted messaging apps, and a cache of more than 50 acquired firearms. The cell members deployed military-grade trauma kits, used Faraday bags to evade phone tracking, and threw explosives and fireworks at the facility, which houses detainees awaiting deportation.
Benjamin Hanil Song, identified by prosecutors as the cell’s leader, faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison. During the ambush, Song yelled ‘get to the rifles!’ before opening fire, shooting a responding Alvarado police officer in the neck and forcing unarmed correctional officers to dive for cover.
Sentencing and Charges
The defendants face extensive prison terms on an array of charges. Six of the operatives face 10 to 60 years in prison after being convicted of rioting, providing material support to terrorists, and using explosives during a riot. Another defendant faces up to 40 years for conspiracy and corruptly concealing insurrectionist planning materials and propaganda to hide them from a grand jury.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
