A federal grand jury in Fort Worth, Texas has indicted nine individuals alleged to be members of a North Texas Antifa cell, with seven additional people charged by information. The charges relate to an attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, that occurred on July 4, 2025. Offenses listed include rioting, use of weapons and explosives, providing material support to terrorists, obstruction, and attempted murder of law enforcement officers.
Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson announced the indictments. Those named in the twelve-count indictment are Cameron Arnold (also known as Autumn Hill), Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris (also known as Meagan Morris), Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada. Their arraignment is scheduled for December 3, 2025.
Six other defendants—Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas—are each charged with one count of providing material support to terrorists through separate informations filed yesterday. Another defendant, Seth Sikes, was similarly charged in October. Guilty plea hearings for several of these individuals are set for next week.
According to prosecutors’ filings following earlier federal complaints from July 2025, the accused were part of a militant group aiming to overthrow government institutions and targeting law enforcement agencies. The indictment alleges that most participants looked to Benjamin Song as a leader who supplied firearms and recruited new members at gun ranges and combat sessions.
The charges state that late on July 4th at least eleven defendants attacked the detention center while dressed in black clothing intended to conceal their identities. They allegedly fired or threw fireworks at the facility and vandalized property before opening fire on responding officers. An Alvarado police officer was struck in the neck during the incident; most suspects were arrested near the scene shortly afterward.
Authorities allege that over 50 firearms were acquired by group members prior to July 4th and that encrypted messaging apps with auto-delete features were used for planning purposes.
Specific charges against those indicted include riot with intent to commit violence; providing material support to terrorists; conspiracy to use explosives; attempted murder of correctional officers and a police officer; discharging a firearm during a crime of violence; corruptly concealing documents related to insurrection planning; and conspiracy to conceal evidence implicating co-defendants.
If convicted on all counts involving attempted murder or use of explosives or firearms during violent crimes, several defendants face minimum sentences of ten years up to life imprisonment. Others face maximum penalties ranging from fifteen years up to fifty years or more depending on specific charges.
“These are merely allegations,” stated prosecutors. “All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
“This is the first indictment in the country against a group of violent Antifa cell members,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “The charges the Grand Jury has leveled against these defendants, including material support for terrorists, address the vicious attack perpetrated by an anti-ICE, anti-law enforcement, anti-government anarchist group. I applaud the tenacious work of the FBI, ICE, our state and local law enforcement partners, and the prosecutors and staff in my office. They have tirelessly pursued justice in this case and will continue to pursue justice in any cases like it. We are firm in our resolve to protect our law enforcement officers and federal facilities against organized domestic terrorist cells.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock added: “The updated charges in this case underscore the seriousness of the crimes committed at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4… This collaborative effort reflects our collective commitment to holding these individuals accountable for this coordinated attack.”
Robert Cerna from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas commented: “Four months ago…a coordinated attack was carried out on the Prairieland Detention Center… Yesterday’s indictments are a first step…as we continue to work collectively to ensure that justice is served.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including FBI Dallas Division; Immigration & Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement & Removal Office (ICE ERO); ATF; Texas Department of Public Safety; Alvarado Police Department; and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Gatto and Shawn Smith are prosecuting this case.
