A federal jury imposed severe sentences on eight people linked to the armed attack against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Prairieland Detention Center, which occurred on July 4, 2025 in Alvarado, Texas. The harshest sentence fell on Benjamin Hanil Song, identified by prosecutors as the main organizer of the operation, who was sentenced to 100 years in prison for attempting to murder a police officer during the incident.

The sentences, handed down by federal judges Mark T. Pittman and Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth, represent one of the harshest punishments imposed in a case of recent political violence and come just days before the one-year anniversary of the attack. According to federal authorities, Song was found guilty of attempted murder, use of a firearm during a violent crime and other charges related to domestic terrorism.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Song shot an Alvarado police officer, wounding him in the neck while responding to an emergency call at the detention center. Collectively, the eight convicted defendants received sentences totaling 450 years in federal prison.

Prosecutor describes an attack planned for months

According to the evidence presented at the trial, the group would have organized the operation against the immigration facilities for months. Investigators indicated that those involved acquired dozens of firearms, tactical equipment, explosive material and used encrypted messaging applications to coordinate their movements.

The prosecution stated that the participants arrived at the detention center dressed in black and with their faces covered to hide their identity. During the raid, they allegedly launched fireworks and other explosive devices at the facilities, damaged official vehicles, carried out acts of vandalism, and opened fire when law enforcement arrived.

In addition to Song, Maricela Rueda was sentenced to 70 years in prison, while Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Zachary Evetts, Bradford Morris and Elizabeth Soto each received sentences of 50 years. Daniel Rolando Sánchez-Estrada was sentenced to 30 years on charges related to conspiracy and concealment of documents related to the investigation.

Seven other defendants who previously pleaded guilty will be sentenced separately in the coming weeks.

Case becomes a national reference

The lawsuit drew national attention as the Justice Department presented the case as an example of prosecution against acts of violence directed at federal facilities and law enforcement officials. Federal officials said the evidence included communications records, DNA evidence, fingerprints and testimonies from participants who cooperated with the investigation.

Documents and messages were also presented that, according to the prosecution, demonstrated the existence of detailed planning before the attack. The defense of several defendants maintained during the process that the authorities were using the case to criminalize protest activities and political activism. However, prosecutors argued that the events exceeded any demonstration protected by the Constitution and constituted violent criminal acts.

Authorities reported that 16 people have been convicted so far in connection with the Prairieland Detention Center attack. The investigation was led by the FBI, ICE, the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies.

The case could continue to generate legal and political repercussions due to the national debate over the classification of extremist groups, violence against federal facilities and the boundaries between political protest and criminal acts.