Protesters Sentenced Severely for ICE Facility Attack

A leader from a group of protesters accused of membership with the far-left antifa movement received a 100-year prison sentence. A jury found him and seven other demonstrators guilty of supporting terrorism during an armed assault on an immigration facility in Alvarado, Texas.

The heavy sentence against the protester, Benjamin Song, highlighted the seriousness of the charges in the case. Federal District Court judges in Fort Worth, Texas, expressed deep disapproval of the use of violence and interference with democratic processes.

Nine demonstrators, including Song, faced a range of charges linked to the attack on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. One police officer was shot in the neck during the incident.

Six of Song’s co-defendants, also convicted of terrorism, received prison terms ranging from 50 to 70 years. Another defendant, not present at the protest and guilty of lesser offenses, received a 30-year term. A final defendant’s sentencing is pending.

The sentences, issued by Judges Mark T. Pittman and Reed O’Connor, far exceeded the longest sentences given to the January 6 Capitol rioters, including the 22-year sentence for Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys.

These rulings seem to show that Texas courts take an assertive stance against ICE-related protests. Authorities have been targeting activists opposing ICE, including indictments for 15 alleged antifa affiliates in Minnesota on charges of obstructing federal agents during immigration operations last winter.