Nine activists convicted of terrorism charges have been handed prison sentences of at least 50 years in a closely watched case seen as a test of the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on dissent. The sentences were handed down on Tuesday in a Texas federal court after the group was found guilty of a series of criminal charges stemming from a protest at an immigrant detention facility in Alvarado, Texas, on the Fourth of July.
The demonstrators arrived late at night planning to set off fireworks as a noise demonstration to show solidarity with detainees. However, a few protesters broke off from the main group and vandalised cars, a guard shack, slashed tyres on a government van and broke a security camera. When a police officer arrived and drew his weapon, one of the activists, Benjamin Song, fired an AR-15, hitting the officer in the shoulder. The officer survived.
Song was sentenced to 100 years in prison for attempted murder of a US officer, firearm and explosives charges, riot, and providing material support to terrorists. Zachary Evetts, Autumn Hill, Savanna Batten, Elizabeth Soto, and Meagan Morris each received 50 years, and Maricela Rueda was given 70 years. All six were convicted of riot, providing material support to terrorists, and explosive charges; Rueda was also convicted of corruptly concealing a document. Evetts, Hill, Morris, and Rueda were acquitted on attempted murder and firearms charges.
Former federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade described the sentences as unusually long. 'Most often, judges will sentence defendants for separate counts concurrently. Here, it appears that the judge stacked the sentences for each count consecutively. I would have expected lengthy sentences here, more in the ballpark at 15 to 25 years, but nothing like 50 to 100 years,' she said. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement: 'The sentences handed down today make clear that Antifa terrorists who attack law enforcement and federal facilities will face swift and uncompromising justice.'
In a statement, Song said he fired at officer Thomas Gross because Gross had his weapon drawn and Song believed he was about to shoot a protester. Gross admitted during trial his weapon was pointed at the back of a person fleeing the parking lot. 'I never want to see good people, standing for what they believe in, gunned down in the street. Now 21 people have been arrested, have been persecuted, have been punished. For knowing me or being my friend? This is wrong. This is mass punishment. Collective punishment. This is guilt by association. This is injustice,' Song said. Evetts, a mechanical engineer, said the fireworks were intended solely to get the attention of those held inside, and his lawyer Patrick McLain said he intends to appeal: 'Zach has always been a caring and compassionate man; an accomplished mechanical engineer with no history of trouble with the law or violence.'
The sentences were 'absurd', said Amber Lowrey, Batten's sister: 'This case has relied on lies and misinformation from the start. It is heartbreaking nonetheless. But we will keep fighting to overturn these unjust convictions and to free Savanna and all the Prairiela.' The case is expected to be appealed.
