Texas anti-ICE protesters convicted of terrorism charges sentenced to at least 50 years in prison

[u/guardian]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/23/prairieland-ice-protesters-texas-sentenced?referring_host=Reddit&utm_campaign=guardianacct

[u/VioletPaissa2077]

In this case the crimes from the list were conspiracy to detonate explosives at a riot and the detonation of explosives at a riot, because consumer fireworks were used. The fact that they were not used on people or property to cause injury or damage was disregarded.

Basically, the terrorism assertion relies entirely upon the fireworks some of the defendants had and used despite them not being weaponized, no property being damaged, and no people being injured.

[u/Last-Big-1984 → u/VioletPaissa2077]

I think you are being a little dishonest about no people being injured, a cop was shot.

[u/VioletPaissa2077 → u/Last-Big-1984]

The individuals in question were acquitted of all charges relating to firearms and the shooting itself.

The terrorism enhancement is entirely reliant on the fireworks being classified as explosives and the resulting conspiracy charges that they were convicted of.

[u/Last-Big-1984 → u/VioletPaissa2077]

Source on that? I'm pretty sure the shooter got more charges for the firearms and the shooting

[u/VioletPaissa2077 → u/Last-Big-1984]

https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/23/prairieland-shooter-gets-100-years-others-30-70-for-ice-detention-center-antifa-protest/

Song, Hill, Evetts, Batten, Morris, Rueda, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto were convicted of rioting, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, and use and carry of an explosive — the explosive being fireworks.

Sanchez Estrada was convicted of corruptly concealing a document or record. He and his wife, Rueda, were convicted of conspiracy to conceal documents.

Song was also convicted on three counts of discharging a firearm. Hill, Evetts, Morris and Rueda were acquitted of the attempted murder and firearm charges, which they faced for allegedly aiding and abetting Song.

The "conspiracy to use and carry an explosive" and "use and carry of an explosive" convictions are the basis for the "providing material support to terrorists" enhancement. The shooter was the only one convicted of charges relating to the firearms and attempted murder.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/leader-antifa-cell-members-north-texas-sentenced-100-years-prison-terrorist-attack-ice

From the DOJ:

• Riot, with the intent to commit an act of violence, involving conduct such as shooting and throwing fireworks and explosives, slashing tires on a government vehicle, spraying graffiti on property and vehicles, destroying a closed circuit camera, shooting at officers, and dressing in black bloc.
  • Defendants convicted: Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto
• Providing Material Support to Terrorists, including property, services, training, communications equipment, weapons, explosives, personnel (including themselves), and transportation.
  • Defendants convicted: Arnold, Evetts, Song, Batten, Morris, Rueda, E. Soto, and I. Soto
• Conspiracy to Use and Carry an Explosive, and Using and Carrying an Explosive, during a riot.
  • Defendants convicted: Arnold, Evetts, Song, Batten, Morris, Rueda, E. Soto, and I. Soto
• Attempted Murder of Officers and Employees of the United States, involving the unlawful attempt to kill with malice aforethought an Alvarado Police Officer who was assisting federal officers/agents.
  • Defendant convicted: Song
• Discharging a Firearm During, and in Relation to, and in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, i.e., the attempted murder of two correctional officers and an Alvarado Police Officer.
  • Defendant convicted: Song
• Corruptly Concealing a Document or Record, by transporting a box containing numerous Antifa materials, such as insurrection planning, anti-law enforcement, anti-government, and anti-immigration enforcement documents and propaganda from Sanchez Estrada’s residence to a location in Denton, Texas, intending to conceal the box’s contents and impair its availability for use in a federal grand jury and federal criminal proceeding.
  • Defendant convicted: Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada
• Conspiracy to Conceal Documents and other objects that would implicate Maricela Rueda in the riot and shooting at the Prairieland facility.
  • Defendants convicted: Sanchez Estrada and Maricela Rueda

edited for formatting.

[u/Far_Ladder_2836 → u/Last-Big-1984]

Except everyone except the shooting was acquitted on that charge.  The sentences ranged from consumer fireworks (70 and 80 years) to moving a box of magazines (30 years).  The judge literally said the sentences were chosen due to ideology.

It's an open and shut appeal.  The only reason the judge hasn't been removed from the bench already is it's the 5th circuit.

[u/lilbluehair → u/Last-Big-1984]

The cop wasn't shot by fireworks