Five members of the North Texas Antifa cell have made history by becoming the first in the U.S. to be convicted of terrorism-related charges. They pleaded guilty to “providing material support to terrorists” after a violent incident on July 4 at the ICE Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas.
Nathan Bauman, Seth Sykes, Joy Gibson, John Thomas, and Lynette Sharp appeared in cuffs before a federal judge in Fort Worth on November 19, acknowledging their involvement in the attack where a police officer was shot in the neck. Each faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, marking the first notable legal victory against Antifa militants, as stated by prosecutors.
Shortly before their guilty pleas, a federal grand jury indicted nine operatives associated with the North Texas Antifa Cell, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. This included additional suspects facing various terrorism-related charges like rioting, weapon use, and the attempted murder of Officer Alvarado and a correctional officer at the center, as shared by Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson.
“This is the first indictment against a violent group of Antifa members in the country,” Larson noted.
During a 40-minute hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cureton asked the defendants about any medical conditions or medications that might affect their understanding of the proceedings. Two defendants reported depression, one had bipolar disorder, and the others were diagnosed with ADHD. Despite these claims, the judge deemed them competent to plead guilty voluntarily.
Reports earlier this year identified ten individuals charged for the attempted murder of ICE agents at the Alvarado facility.
According to a press release, “The defendants, dressed in black military uniforms, launched fireworks at the facility during a premeditated attack,” as mentioned by the Justice Department.
A few minutes into the incident, at least one person strayed from the main group to vandalize vehicles and structures in the parking area. Officer Alvarado responded to a 911 call from corrections officers regarding unusual activity. Upon his arrival, he was shot in the neck by one of the alleged assailants hiding nearby. Across the street, another attacker fired multiple rounds at unarmed correctional officers outside.
Authorities found an AR-style rifle at the scene, as detailed in the complaint. The attackers fled but were apprehended by law enforcement. Some were found wearing bulletproof vests and carrying weapons, as well as two-way radios. A search of a vehicle linked to one defendant uncovered a total of 12 body armor sets.
The nine defendants indicted face several charges:
- Riot: Acting violently, including using fireworks or explosives, damaging public property, or attacking police officers.
- Defendants: Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savannah Batten, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Inez Soto.
- Providing material support to terrorists: Supplying property, services, training, or weapons to individuals engaged in terrorist activities.
- Defendants: Arnold, Evetts, Song, Batten, Morris, Rueda, E. Soto, I. Soto.
- Conspiracy and use of explosives: During a riot.
- Defendants: Arnold, Evetts, Song, Batten, Morris, Rueda, E. Soto, I. Soto.
- Attempted murder of U.S. officials: Involving a deliberate attempt to kill Correctional Officers and Officer Alvarado.
- Defendants: Song, Arnold, Evetts, Morris, Rueda.
- Discharging a firearm: During attempted murders of correctional officers and an Alvarado police officer.
- Defendants: Song, Arnold, Evetts, Morris, Rueda.
- Concealment of documents: Transporting materials related to Antifa plans and propaganda with intent to hide them from federal proceedings.
- Defendant: Daniel Rolando Sánchez Estrada.
- Conspiracy to hide documents: Associated with Marisela Rueda’s involvement in the riot.
- Defendants: Sánchez Estrada and Maricela Rueda.
Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office made statements highlighting the significance of these indictments as a serious response to the violent actions taken at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4.
Each convicted Antifa member could spend up to 15 years in federal prison, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for March 12.
