Two individuals associated with Antifa have become the first in the nation to face terrorism charges. They were reportedly part of a group that amassed over 50 firearms, which included some homemade weapons, according to law enforcement.
Zachary Ebbets and Cameron Arnold, who also goes by Autumn Hill, are now under federal scrutiny following the Trump administration’s recent designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
Initially, they were arrested on attempted murder charges along with nine others who were allegedly involved in shooting at local police and unarmed federal agents outside the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas on July 4.
Federal prosecutors stated in a new indictment that this alleged Antifa group, including Ebbets and Arnold, was “heavily armed” and had acquired firearms from various locations throughout Texas.
One co-conspirator, identified as the group’s leader, reportedly “purchased and manufactured numerous AR platform rifles,” which were then distributed among associates, as detailed in the criminal complaint.
Notably, one of the weapons had a binary trigger that facilitated “faster firing,” allowing two bullets to be fired with a single pull of the trigger.
Prosecutors indicated that, on the night of the attack, ten rifles, including one with a binary trigger, were taken to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Earlier images released by federal authorities showcased parts of bulletproof vests and ammunition thought to belong to the group.
The group allegedly vandalized vehicles and set off fireworks before launching a more serious attack on the facility. A local officer who responded was shot and injured, while at least 20 bullets were fired at two unarmed federal agents who stepped out of the building, before the assailants escaped.
Court documents revealed that the Antifa group communicated extensively via coded messages while planning the attack, with one member reportedly stating, “Peaceful protests are over.”
This same member is also said to have declared that “Blue lives don’t matter.”
The group took the time to identify local police stations and security cameras, and even strategized their logistics, authorities alleged.
One text included a request to “bring a wagon to load armor and rifles,” while the group leader suggested that high-powered firearms would be used to intimidate law enforcement.
Allegedly, one member noted, “Officers tend to back down because they are not trained or equipped with multiple rifles.”
After the attack, Ebbets, dressed in military-style clothing, fled on foot from a red Mazda parked at the location and was shortly apprehended. Meanwhile, Arnold was taken into custody at the residence where the group had planned the operation and is believed to have been present during the incident.
Both Ebbets and Arnold now face charges of providing material support to terrorists, a move their legal representatives have criticized. Patrick McClain, representing Ebbets, argued there was “zero basis” for the previous allegations, while Arnold’s lawyer, Cody Cofer, suggested that the new charges might be an attempt to manipulate public perception rather than relying on solid evidence.
The initial documentation included flyers that presented anti-government content and political messages but didn’t specifically name Antifa.
In September, President Trump formally categorized Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, arguing that the group employs “unlawful means to organize and carry out a nationwide campaign of violence and terrorism” aimed at overthrowing the U.S. government.
