Federal Jury Convicts Eight to Nine in Prairieland ICE Attack
Jury found defendants guilty over July 4, 2025 attack that wounded an Alvarado officer; sentencing will be set by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman.
CBS NewsJury finds defendants guilty of terrorism-related charges in attack on Prairieland ICE detention center
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FOX NewsNine convicted in North Texas ICE attack as Kash Patel issues warning to those who target federal officers
Overview
A federal jury in Fort Worth convicted eight to nine people on terrorism-related and other charges for their roles in a July 4, 2025, attack on the Prairieland ICE Detention Center, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
Prosecutors said demonstrators set off fireworks, vandalized vehicles and buildings, and opened fire, wounding Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross, according to trial testimony and surveillance shown at trial.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and ICE Director Todd Lyons praised the verdicts as a blow against antifa-linked violence, while a defendants' support group called the trial a "sham," according to statements and posts.
Nine defendants faced a total of 65 charges including attempted murder and providing material support to terrorists, and jurors reviewed over 210 exhibits and heard testimony from more than 45 witnesses, DOJ said.
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman will set sentencing for the 16 defendants overall, and federal prosecutors said Benjamin Song faces 20 years to life while several others face 10 to 60 years.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the coverage as a legal and political test by foregrounding government claims tying defendants to 'antifa' and portraying the verdict as part of a Trump administration push, while giving secondary attention to defense denials and civil‑liberties concerns, including First Amendment implications and the judge’s Trump appointment.
FAQ
Demonstrators set off fireworks, vandalized vehicles and buildings with graffiti like 'ICE Pig,' and fired approximately 30 rounds from AR-15 style rifles, wounding Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross in the neck.
A federal jury convicted eight to nine defendants on terrorism-related charges and others, out of nine facing 65 charges total including attempted murder and providing material support to terrorists.
Benjamin Song is the accused ringleader who allegedly fired his weapon injuring the officer; he faces 20 years to life in prison and was on the run for over a week after the attack.
Jurors reviewed over 210 exhibits, heard from more than 45 witnesses, saw surveillance footage, and text messages from Signal chats where defendants planned the attack and discussed it as an 'easy target.'
