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Prairieland Sentences Announced
A federal court in Texas sentenced eight people tied to an antifa-linked plot over a July 4, 2025 shooting outside the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, with Benjamin Song receiving a 100-year prison term.
“8 convicted in Texas immigration center shooting and protest are sentenced to decades in prison 8 convicted in Texas immigration center shooting and protest are sentenced to decades in prison FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A former U”
The Associated Press reported that Song, a former U.S. Marine reservist, was sentenced to 100 years in prison and that the seven other defendants received prison terms ranging from 30 to 70 years.
U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor said what happened wasn’t a protest but “an assault on democracy,” as the case drew attention beyond Texas for critics who warned it could affect protests and First Amendment free-speech rights.
The Justice Department called the case an act of terrorism and said the eight were linked to antifa, while prosecutors said Song yelled “get to the rifles” and opened fire, striking a police officer who had just pulled up to the center.
In Fort Worth courtrooms, Lydia Koza said she was “livid” after her wife, Autumn Hill, was sentenced to 50 years in prison, adding that “Nobody died.”
Competing Views in Court
Family members and supporters condemned the sentences, with Hope Song telling reporters that “He’s accepted full responsibility for what actually happened,” but adding that he “will never accept responsibility for a lie — a government lie made to prosecute innocent people in order to get political persecutions.”
Prosecutors urged stiff penalties, and Frank Gatto said, “People with that kind of extremist beliefs need extra time in prison,” adding, “They believe violence is justified.”
Outside the courthouse, Phillip Hayes disputed the characterization of the defendants as extremists, saying, “This is a bunch of kids and young adults who really have a really big heart and really wanted their voice to be heard.”
Hayes also said, “It was never intended that anybody get hurt,” and argued that “It was never intended that any shots would be fired.”
In the same proceedings, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor said “The need to deter this type of conduct is high,” as the Justice Department described the sentencing as the first of “defendants affiliated with” antifa after President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
Aftermath and What’s at Risk
The Justice Department said the sentences followed President Donald Trump’s executive order designating antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization in September 2025, and it framed the outcome as “swift and uncompromising justice” for attacks on law enforcement and federal facilities.
“Eight protesters accused by the Justice Department of having ties to antifa were sentenced Tuesday to decades in federal prison over a shooting outside a Texas immigration detention center that wounded a police officer and prosecutors called an act of terrorism”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “The sentences handed down today make clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice,” while FBI Director Kash Patel said, “Acts of violence against our law enforcement partners will not be tolerated.”
The Department of Justice press release also said the Prairieland terrorists received a combined sentence of 450 years in prison, and it described the case as the first sentencing of “defendants affiliated with” antifa following the executive order.
In Fort Worth, the Associated Press reported that the case drew attention beyond Texas as critics warned it could have wide-reaching impact on protests and First Amendment free-speech rights, even as prosecutors said the defendants’ actions—including bringing firearms, first aid kits and wearing body armor—were signals of nefarious intent.
The sentencing also left additional legal steps in motion, with Phillip Hayes saying his client will appeal the 100-year sentence after prosecutors said Song had yelled “get to the rifles” and opened fire.
