Eight convicted of terrorism charges for Texas ICE facility attack tied to antifa.

A federal jury in Texas convicted nine activists of terrorism charges related to a July 4, 2025 incident at the Prairieland ICE detention center.

“- A jury convicted nine people for a Texas ICE facility attack last year”

KSL

The Justice Department explicitly framed the case as targeting an 'Antifa Cell' despite antifa not being a single organization.

KSL

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that this would not be the last such case under the Trump administration.

ICE Director Todd M. Lyons characterized the defendants' actions as violent and an abhorrent form of protest.

The defendants included nine individuals, with eight facing 'Providing Material Support to Terrorists' charges.

The incident occurred on July 4, 2025, at the Prairieland ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas, approximately 30 miles south of Fort Worth.

What began as a daytime peaceful protest escalated when activists returned late at night intending to set off fireworks.

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Their goal was to create noise that would alert detainees to having support on the outside.

The protest involved plans for vandalism including slashing police tires and firing fireworks at the detention center.

The activists brought firearms and a bulletproof vest but left most weapons in their van except for one.

The situation turned violent when two guards came out and an Alvarado police officer arrived, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

Benjamin Song was convicted of three counts of attempted murder and three counts of discharging a firearm.

“He then attended the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) from 2013-2015 during which he held various leadership roles in student organizations including serving as co-chair and vice president of the College Republicans”

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Song faces a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison.

Song served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 2011-2016 with an other-than-honorable discharge.

He was identified as the only shooter in the group of protesters.

Eight defendants were convicted of 'Providing Material Support to Terrorists' based on wearing black clothing to conceal identities.

Seven of these eight were also convicted of explosive-related charges for using fireworks.

The ninth defendant received convictions on two lesser charges.

The case relied partly on testimony from seven other activists who had pleaded guilty earlier.

Defense attorneys challenged the government's characterization, arguing clients were not antifa members.

They claimed to have organized only a 'noise demonstration' to support detained immigrants.

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Cody Cofer stated the jury 'could see through the government's fear mongering antifa 'ambush' narrative.'

Defense attorneys maintained there was no plan for violence and firearms were for protection.

Blake Burns told jurors the case was about characterizing protesters as terrorists to imprison them.

He noted terrorism charges don't require organizational ties and domestic groups have First Amendment protections.

Critics warned the outcome could criminalize constitutionally protected protests.

Suzanne Adely stated the case helps the government test limits on protest rights.

The case could intimidate future demonstrations, according to legal observers.

The Trump administration positioned the Texas case as a victory against antifa.

“By JAMIE STENGLE DALLAS (AP) — A federal jury on Friday convictedeight peopleon terrorism charges over a shooting at a Texas immigration facility that federal prosecutors tied to antifa, the far-left movement that hasbecome a targetof the Trump administration”

The Morning Call

Attorney General Pam Bondi declared antifa a 'domestic terrorist organization' that flourished under Democrats.

KSL

Bondi threatened more terrorism prosecutions as part of dismantling antifa.

FBI Director Kash Patel noted this was the first material support charge targeting antifa-accused individuals.

Civil liberties groups criticized the approach as government overreach to suppress dissent.

All 16 defendants face sentencing on June 18, 2026.

Song faces decades to life in prison while co-defendants face substantial terrorism sentences.