NINE TEXAS PROTESTERS CONVICTED OF TERRORISM CHARGES SENTENCED TO 50-100 YEARS

Nine protesters convicted of terrorism charges received prison sentences ranging from 50 to 100 years following a trial in Texas. The sentences were handed down following a three-week jury trial in March, in which all nine defendants were found guilty of multiple criminal charges. The convictions stemmed from a Fourth of July protest at an immigrant detention facility in Alvarado, south of Fort Worth. Prosecutors stated the defendants were part of a "North Texas antifa cell", though the nine individuals were not all previously acquainted with one another.

The protest involved demonstrators who arrived late at night with plans to set off fireworks as a noise demonstration in solidarity with those detained at the facility. Some protesters vandalized vehicles in the car park, damaged a guard shack, slashed tyres on a government van and broke a security camera. When a police officer arrived and drew his weapon, one protester fired an AR-15 from the woods, striking the officer in the shoulder. The officer survived the shooting. Benjamin Song, who fired the weapon, received a 100-year sentence. Maricela Rueda was sentenced to 70 years, while Zachary Evetts, Autumn Hill, Savanna Batten and Elizabeth Soto each received 50-year sentences. Eight of the nine defendants were convicted of providing material support for terrorists. Daniel Sanchez-Estrada, who was not present at the protest, was convicted of corruptly concealing a document after prosecutors alleged he moved leftwing materials at his wife Rueda's request following her arrest.

Prosecutors argued the shooting was premeditated and part of a conspiracy, despite the defendants' loose affiliations with one another. Eight defendants faced conviction under material support for terrorism charges. The case was widely characterised as a test of efforts to prosecute activities associated with antifa-aligned protests.