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U.S. Indicts 9 Alleged ‘North Texas Antifa Cell’ Members in July 4 ICE Attack That Wounded Officer as 7 Others Are Charged

Prosecutors frame the group as a domestic terrorist enterprise under a Trump-directed crackdown.

Overview

  • The federal grand jury’s 12-count indictment names Cameron Arnold (also known as Autumn Hill), Zachary Evetts, Benjamin Song, Savanna Batten, Bradford (Meagan) Morris, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada.
  • Seven additional defendants — Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas, plus Seth Sikes in October — were charged by information with providing material support to terrorists, with guilty plea hearings set for next week and the following week.
  • Charges for the nine include rioting, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, explosives offenses, attempted murder of officers, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and document concealment counts tied to alleged Antifa materials.
  • Prosecutors allege Song opened fire on an Alvarado officer who was shot in the neck and describe a coordinated action featuring black bloc attire, fireworks used as weapons, reconnaissance, encrypted planning chats, and the acquisition of more than 50 firearms.
  • Arraignments for the nine indicted defendants are scheduled for December 3, and the case proceeds under an enterprise theory that defense attorneys are contesting in court.