Nine Texas activists convicted of terrorism charges for a Fourth of July protest at an immigrant detention center received sentences of at least 50 years in prison on Tuesday, in a case viewed as a test of the Trump administration's crackdown on dissent. The sentences, handed down by a state judge, far exceed typical guidelines and surpass those given to January 6 Capitol rioters.
Protest and Conviction
After a three-week jury trial in March, the activists were found guilty on multiple charges stemming from a July 4, 2023 protest at the Prairieland detention center in Alvarado, Texas. The group arrived late at night to set off fireworks as a noise demonstration supporting detainees. Some protesters vandalized cars, a guard shack, slashed tires on a government van, and broke a security camera. When a police officer arrived and drew his weapon, one activist fired an AR-15 from the woods, hitting the officer in the shoulder. The officer survived.
Zachary Evetts, Autumn Hill, Savanna Batten, Elizabeth Soto, and Meagan Morris were sentenced to 50 years. Maricela Rueda received 70 years. Benjamin Song, who fired the gun, was sentenced to 100 years. Daniel Sanchez-Estrada, who was not at the protest but moved materials after his wife's arrest, got 30 years.
Unusually Harsh Sentences
Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor, called the sentences unusually long. “Most often, judges sentence defendants for separate counts concurrently. Here, it appears the judge stacked sentences consecutively. I expected 15 to 25 years, not 50 to 100,” she said. The punishments exceed those for January 6 defendants: Enrique Tarrio (Proud Boys leader) got 22 years, and Stewart Rhodes (Oath Keepers leader) got 18 years.
Prosecution's Case and Criticism
Prosecutors argued the attack was premeditated and part of a conspiracy, labeling the group a “North Texas antifa cell.” They cited group messages planning the protest and discussing firearms and black clothing. However, some defendants like Batten, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto were not involved in planning, arrived separately, and left when asked. Morris stayed in a van with weapons and body armor but did not participate directly.
Eight of nine defendants were convicted of providing material support for terrorists—a charge that does not require a terrorist ideology connection, only support for listed crimes. The Justice Department framed the convictions as proof that antifa is a terrorist organization. Legal observers criticized the use of zines from a leftwing book club as evidence of conspiracy, calling it criminalizing free speech.
Broader Crackdown on Activism
Since this case, the government has brought similar prosecutions. In Minneapolis, 15 activists were charged with conspiracy for interfering with ICE agents. In Spokane, Washington, three protesters were convicted for a 2025 ICE facility protest. A Chicago case collapsed after grand jury misconduct was revealed. The sentences in Texas mark a significant escalation in the administration's efforts to suppress dissent.
