Former Marine and Seven Others Sentenced for Shooting at Texas Protest

In Fort Worth, Texas, a former U.S. Marine reservist named Benjamin Song and seven others received lengthy prison sentences in connection with a shooting incident during a protest at a Texas immigration detention center last year. Prosecutors identified the crime as an act of terrorism, linking the individuals to the leftist militant group antifa, although the defendants’ attorneys refuted such ties.

Benjamin Song was convicted of opening fire during the July 4 demonstration outside Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas, leading to his 100-year sentence, the maximum punishment possible. The other defendants received sentences ranging between 30 to 70 years.

“I am livid,” stated Lydia Koza, whose wife, Autumn Hill, was sentenced to 50 years in prison. “The government wants to take her entire life away because she attended a protest. Nobody died.”

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, presiding over the case, declared the violent act an assault on democracy. Emphasizing the necessity of deterring such conduct, he played a central role in directing the proceedings.

The case gained national attention due to concerns regarding its implications on protests and First Amendment rights. The Justice Department labeled it as the first sentencing of defendants linked to antifa following President Donald Trump’s executive order designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

Prosecutors alleged that actions by the group, such as carrying firearms, first aid kits, and wearing body armor, indicated malicious intent. Nevertheless, defense attorneys argued that attendees brought firearms for personal protection and had no plans to ambush; the gathering aimed to peacefully showcase support for immigrants detained at Prairieland.

Song reportedly shouted, “get to the rifles,” and began shooting, injuring a police officer arriving at the center. Despite this, Song’s attorney Phillip Hayes refuted claims about extremist behavior, and plans to appeal the 100-year sentence.

While prosecutor Frank Gatto advocated for severe penalties, emphasizing the risk posed by extremist principles, defendants and family members called for clemency. Autumn Hill described the event as akin to a party and had no expectation of violence or destruction.

Cody Cofer, Hill’s attorney, stated there was no proof that Hill possessed a gun or supported violence for change. He stressed her conscientiousness, as she even collected trash after fireworks. Meanwhile, Savanna Batten’s attorney Chris Tolbert highlighted her non-involvement in planning, nor possessing a firearm or other demonstration items. Batten and Hill both received 50-year sentences.

Regarding Daniel Sanchez Estrada, his attorney Christopher Weinbel argued his innocence, emphasizing that Estrada wasn’t at Prairieland during the shooting nor involved in planning. Weinbel claimed Estrada merely relocated a box of personal belongings containing artwork and poetry, with no illegal items. Sanchez Estrada received a 30-year prison sentence.

In another aspect, some defendants opted to plead guilty to supporting terrorism to avoid trial. Elsewhere, federal prosecutors charged individuals connected to Minnesota protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Participants allegedly aligned with antifa and disrupted federal actions through blockades and ice-throwing at vehicles.

Associated Press journalist Kendria LaFleur contributed to this report.