Former U.S. Marine reservist Benjamin Song and seven others received lengthy prison sentences for a shooting incident at a Texas immigration detention center. The event wounded a police officer during a demonstration, and prosecutors labeled the act as terrorism, linking participants to antifa. Defendants denied the association, expressing shock over their sentences.
Song was sentenced to 100 years in prison, while others received terms between 30 and 70 years. Lydia Koza, whose wife Autumn Hill received a 50-year sentence, argued against the severity, highlighting the protest’s nature and the absence of fatalities.
Judge Reed O’Connor described the event as “an assault on democracy” and emphasized the need to deter such actions. The Justice Department flagged this as the first sentencing of individuals connected to antifa after President Trump’s executive order designating it a domestic terrorist organization. Critics cautioned about potential impacts on protests and First Amendment rights.
Prosecutors cited the presence of firearms, first-aid kits, and body armor among protesters as intent signals. Defendants countered, asserting these were for protection, not aggression, and maintained no ambush was planned. The late-night demonstration aimed to support detained immigrants with fireworks before gunfire erupted.
Song’s attorney, Phillip Hayes, rejected labels of extremism, announcing plans to appeal. Prosecutor Frank Gatto advocated for harsh penalties, arguing against the defendants’ alleged violent beliefs. Autumn Hill, among those sentenced, described the gathering as more of a party than a violent protest. Evidence of personal conduct, such as picking up trash, was highlighted by Hill’s attorney, Cody Cofer.
Chris Tolbert, representing Savanna Batten, emphasized her non-involvement in planning and lack of destructive items at the center. Batten received a 50-year sentence, despite claims that she didn’t carry firearms or participate in demonstrations’ planning.
Daniel Sanchez Estrada, another defendant, was sentenced to 30 years for moving personal belongings post-incident. His attorney argued there was no illegal content in the items, which included artwork and personal writings.
Several defendants opted for guilty pleas on charges of supporting terrorists, avoiding trials. Recently, federal prosecutors charged individuals in Minnesota with obstructing immigration enforcement, underscoring claims linking demonstrators to antifa activities against the federal government.
Marcelo reported from New York, with contributions from journalist Kendria LaFleur.