Antifa-aligned terrorist Benjamin Song was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison on Tuesday after shooting a police officer in the neck last July 4 outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Alvarado, Texas last July 4. Song was one of several convicted in an elaborate terror plot aimed at luring agents outside the facility and ambushing them.
The incident began as a demonstration outside the detention center. According to trial evidence and court records, participants set off fireworks along the facility’s tree line, vandalized vehicles by spray-painting them, and discharged firearms at responding law enforcement officers.
According to prosecutors and evidence brought forward during trial, the vandalism was intended as a diversion to lure agents outside, where Song and others would be waiting to open fire.
Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross was struck by a bullet in the neck after responding to the scene. He managed to survive his injuries, and Benjamin Song was identified as the individual who fired the shots that injured the officer.
Song was convicted in March 2026 of attempted murder and three counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Eight other defendants who proceeded to trial were also convicted on charges including rioting, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive during a riot, and using and carrying an explosive.
The explosives referenced in the charges were fireworks. Song faced additional firearm-related counts tied to the shooting. Seven of the trial defendants were acquitted of attempted murder and related aiding-and-abetting firearm charges.
Evidence presented during the 12-day trial in February and March 2026 included surveillance footage depicting fireworks being set off near the facility, recovery of weapons, tactical gear, and damaged vehicles after officers responded, and testimony from more than 45 witnesses. Investigators presented data on defendants’ phone locations, items seized from residences, and accounts of group meetings and communications.
A cooperating witness testified that Song later admitted to shooting a law enforcement officer. Testimony also covered efforts by some defendants to assist Song after the shooting.
Prosecutors described the events as involving weeks of planning through group communications.
Breaking exclusive: Benjamin Song, the ringleader of the North Texas Antifa terror cell, was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison today in Fort Worth. The sentencing of 7 other violent co-defendants is ongoing. Turn on notifications.
Read my prior reporting about the trial…
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 23, 2026
During sentencing on Tuesday, June 23, Song received the longest prison term of the bunch when he was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison. Maricela Rueda received 70 years; Autumn Hill (also known as Cameron Arnold), Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Meagan Morris (also known as Bradford Morris), and Elizabeth Soto each received 50 years; and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada received 30 years.
Sanchez-Estrada was additionally convicted of corruptly concealing a document or record and conspiracy to conceal documents in connection with his wife, Maricela Rueda. Some defendants received terms of supervised release following their prison sentences.Ines Soto, one of the nine defendants convicted at trial, is scheduled for sentencing on July 1, 2026.
Seven additional defendants in the overall case — Seth Sikes, Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas — pleaded guilty prior to trial to a single count of providing material support to terrorists. Each faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and is awaiting sentencing hearings before the same judge.
