A federal jury in Texas just delivered a verdict that many Americans have been waiting years to see. Nine members of an Antifa cell were found guilty on terrorism related charges after a violent attack on an ICE detention facility last summer. The case marks the first federal Antifa terrorism trial in Texas, and it did not end well for the people who showed up with explosives, firearms, and the apparent belief that laws do not apply to them.
The attack happened on July 4, 2025, at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. While most Americans were grilling burgers and watching fireworks, nearly a dozen black clad activists decided to stage their own version of fireworks. According to federal prosecutors, the group arrived wearing black bloc clothing and body armor, the standard uniform for Antifa demonstrations that somehow always seem to turn into riots.
What followed was not a protest. It was a coordinated violent assault.
Members of the group allegedly launched explosives, vandalized federal vehicles, and opened fire on law enforcement officers responding to the scene. During the chaos, a police officer was shot in the neck. Miraculously, the officer survived the attack, though the incident could have easily ended in tragedy.
After a 12 day federal trial in Fort Worth that began on February 23, 2026, jurors heard testimony from more than 45 witnesses and reviewed over 210 pieces of evidence. The result was a sweeping guilty verdict.
The defendants convicted include 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.
The charges read like a checklist of things that should land someone in federal prison for a very long time. The jury found them guilty of rioting, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use explosives, using explosives, three counts of attempted murder of a police officer, three counts of discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and obstruction related offenses involving concealed documents.
Seven additional individuals connected to the same network had already pleaded guilty last year to providing material support to terrorists.
FBI Director Kash Patel made it clear that the government sees this case as part of a larger effort to dismantle Antifa networks across the country.
“Today’s verdict shows the FBI remains committed to identifying, locating, and dismantling Antifa and its funding networks across the country,” Patel said. “Acts of violence against our law enforcement partners will not be tolerated, and we continue our work to protect communities across the country from domestic terrorism.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi delivered an even sharper message.
“Antifa is a domestic terrorist organization that has been allowed to flourish in Democrat led cities, not under President Trump,” Bondi said. “Today’s verdict on terrorism charges will not be the last as the Trump administration systematically dismantles Antifa and finally halts their violence on America’s streets.”
For years, many Americans were told that Antifa was just a loose collection of activists or an “idea.” Apparently that idea traveled to Texas last Independence Day with guns, explosives, and body armor. Now nine members of that “idea” are staring down federal prison sentences. The jury did not seem confused about what they were looking at.
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