(The Lion) — Nine members of Antifa were convicted Friday on terrorism charges stemming from a shooting last year at a Texas Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.
The convictions are the first since President Donald Trump designated Antifa a terrorist organization after the July 4 ambush at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, near Dallas, which resulted in a police officer being shot in the neck. He survived and testified at trial, the Associated Press reported.
Evidence in the 12-day jury trial showed the individuals were part of a North Texas Antifa cell, Texas Scorecard reported.
Eight of the defendants were convicted of riot with intent to commit an act of violence, providing material support to terrorists, and conspiracy to use and carry an explosive.
Benjamin Song, who is believed to be the group’s leader, was convicted of attempted murder and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
A ninth individual, Daniel Sanchez Estrada, was found guilty of corruptly concealing a document and conspiracy to conceal documents.
Seven others have pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists.
The charges carry prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life. Experts say providing material support to a terrorist organization typically carries 15- to 20-year sentences, although Song, a former Marine Corps reservist, could receive a longer sentence given his charges.
Travis Pickard, the Department of Homeland Security agent in charge of Dallas investigations, called the case “a historic moment.”
“The charges demonstrate our unwavering commitment to confronting domestic terrorism and protecting our communities from organized threats,” he said.
Antifa, short for anti-fascists, is a decentralized group of far-left militants, according to the Associated Press. Trump designated it a domestic terrorist organization in September but violence by groups opposing ICE has continued in Minnesota, Portland, Oregon and elsewhere.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the verdict “will not be the last as the Trump administration systematically dismantles Antifa and finally halts their violence on America’s streets.”
Besides Song and Estrada, those convicted Friday were Cameron Arnold, Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto.
They await sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, a Trump appointee, in Fort Worth.
