Overview
- A federal jury in Fort Worth returned mixed verdicts last week, convicting nine defendants tied to a July 4, 2025 Prairieland ICE demonstration on counts that included providing material support for terrorism, rioting, explosives offenses, and conspiracy.
- Benjamin Hanil Song, a Marine reservist, was found guilty of attempted murder and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence after a police officer was shot and wounded during the protest.
- Several co‑defendants face statutory minimums of 10 years and up to 60 years in prison, while Song faces at least 20 years to life; sentencing is scheduled for June 2026.
- Prosecutors presented surveillance video, encrypted messages, seized weapons and fireworks, and political zines, pamphlets and stickers; Daniel Rolando Sanchez‑Estrada, who was not at the protest, was convicted of concealing documents after moving a box of such materials.
- U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman questioned the relevance of the “Antifa” label in jury instructions, Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the verdict, and defense teams and civil‑liberties advocates signaled forthcoming appeals.