Gunman in Antifa Attack on Texas Immigration Facility Sentenced to 100 Years in Prison

A gunman identified as an Antifa member convicted of wounding a police officer during an attack on a Texas immigration detention facility last July 4 was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison on Tuesday.

Benjamin Song was convicted of attempted murder and terrorism-related charges in March after prosecutors said he opened fire and wounded a police officer at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado. He faced 20 years to life in prison.

Seven others convicted of terrorism-related charges sentenced Tuesday received prison terms ranging from 30 to 70 years, according to The Associated Press. They include Cameron Arnold (also known as Autumn Hill), Zachary Evetts, Bradford Morris (also known as Meagan Morris), Maricela Rueda, Savanna Batten, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto.

Song shouted “get to the rifles!” and then opened fire on officers, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors said Song fired 11 shots until his AR-style rifle jammed, hitting an officer in the neck who had responded to a 911 call.

The ninth defendant, Daniel Rolando Sánchez-Estrada, was found guilty of concealing documents and conspiracy to conceal documents. He received a 30-year prison term Tuesday.

U.S. District judges Mark Pittman and Reed O’Connor sentenced the defendants.

O’Connor said what happened last July wasn’t a protest but “an assault on democracy.”

Prosecutors said that the Antifa group launched a premeditated terror attack on the detention facility that included setting off fireworks, vandalizing property, and shooting at officers.

The successful prosecution of the terrorism-related charges was seen as a victory for the Trump administration and a deterrent for violent extremist groups that could pave the way for future prosecutions.

According to The Associated Press, Philip Hayes, Song’s attorney, said outside the courthouse in Fort Worth: “Our issue with this case has always been this isn’t a bunch of terrorists. This is a bunch of kids and young adults who really have a really big heart and really wanted their voice to be heard.

“It was never intended that anybody get hurt. It was never intended that any shots would be fired.”

Meanwhile, no terrorism-related charges were announced on June 16 by the federal government in connection with a Minneapolis case with alleged Antifa ties.

Fifteen Minnesota suspects are charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, interstate threats, interstate stalking, assault on a federal officer, and destruction of government property.

This is a developing story that will be updated.