BREAKING: Authorities have charged 16 individuals following a violent attack led by an Antifa cell on a federal immigration detention facility in Alvarado, Texas on July 4. The Justice Department announced on Friday that nine members of the group have been indicted, with additional charges filed against seven others for their roles in the attempted murder of a police officer.
The 12-count indictment includes serious charges such as rioting with intent to commit violence, attempted murder, and providing material support to terrorists. Among the indicted are key figures like Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, and Benjamin Song, who is described as the cell’s leader.
Prosecutors allege that the group targeted the Prairieland Detention Center, which houses undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation. During the attack, the suspects, clad in “black bloc” clothing, vandalized property, discharged firearms, and threw fireworks at the building, creating chaos and endangering lives.
When local police responded, the correctional officers were reportedly unarmed. Prosecutors claim that Benjamin Song shouted instructions to “get to the rifles!” before opening fire, striking an officer in the neck. He was apprehended on July 15 after fleeing the scene.
“This is a clear message: Anyone who targets law enforcement or uses violence to promote an anarchist agenda will face the full power of the federal government,” stated Kash Patel, FBI Director. The indictment is reportedly the first in the nation against members of a violent Antifa cell, marking a pivotal moment in how the Justice Department addresses such groups.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the significance of these charges, likening Antifa to other terrorist organizations and asserting that, under President Trump’s directive, the government is committed to prosecuting them with the same vigor as groups like MS-13.
Prosecutors noted that the group had amassed over 50 firearms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before the attack, utilizing encrypted messaging apps to coordinate their plans. The nine indicted individuals are scheduled for arraignment in federal court on December 3.
As this story develops, it underscores a growing urgency in addressing domestic terrorism and the implications of militant groups operating within U.S. borders. The situation at the Prairieland Detention Center raises pressing questions about security and law enforcement’s ability to respond to coordinated attacks of this nature.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding situation.
