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Federal Judges Hand More Prison Time in Prairieland ICE Attack Case

The new sentences strengthen a prosecution that used terrorism laws and set the stage for appeals and constitutional challenges to how protests are treated under federal law.

Overview

  • Sentencing resumed Wednesday in Fort Worth, producing additional prison terms that ranged from about two years up to 50 years and following earlier multi-decade sentences for others in the case.
  • Benjamin Hanil Song, the onetime Marine reservist convicted at trial of attempted murder, previously received a 100-year federal sentence and seven trial convicts were given 30-to-70-year terms.
  • Six defendants who pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists were sentenced mostly to under 15 years, while cooperating defendants received reduced terms for testifying against co-defendants.
  • Ines Houston Soto was convicted on counts including providing material support, riot and explosives and was sentenced on Wednesday to 50 years in prison.
  • Prosecutors relied on terrorism enhancements and evidence such as firearms, pyrotechnics, body armor, medical kits and encrypted communications, while defense teams deny Antifa ties and free-speech groups warn the case could chill lawful protest as appeals and legal challenges proceed.