Antifa Terror Cell Leader In Anti-ICE Ambush Gets Hefty Prison Sentence

An Antifa anarchist who led an ambush at a Texas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center last year will spend a century behind bars.

Prosecutors claimed former Marine Corps Reservist Benjamin Hanil Song shot an officer during the July 4, 2025, attack before running and hiding from authorities for a week. On Tuesday, he received the maximum sentence, 100 years, for his crimes, which took place at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, according to KXAN.

Seven other Antifa members also received sentences alongside Song, ranging from 30 to 70 years, the outlet reported. In total, the shooters fired roughly 20 to 30 rounds at law enforcement, according to court documents.

During the attack, the leftist anarchists clad in military-style gear hurled fireworks at the building to lure officers outside before opening fire. Prosecutors said Song shot a local police officer in the neck.

The officer has since made a full recovery, Alvarado Police Chief Teddy May said.

The group allegedly possessed flyers reading “FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!” and “FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS,” as well as a flag stating, “RESIST FASCISM — FIGHT OLIGARCHY.” They also spray-painted the words “ICE Pig” on a nearby vehicle and “F*ck you pigs” on a guard shack.

For his part, Song was accused of firing two AR-15-style rifles at three ICE officers during the shooting. He recruited his co-conspirators for the attack and distributed firearms.

Prosecutors alleged that Song yelled for the group to “get to the rifles” and opened fire before shooting the police officer, KXAN reported.

He was convicted in March of attempted murder of the Alvarado police officer.

The Antifa cell communicated on encrypted messaging apps and used Faraday bags to prevent law enforcement from tracking their locations through phone signals, according to court documents.

During Tuesday’s sentencing, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor called the attack “an assault on democracy.”

“The need to deter this type of conduct is high,” O’Connor said.

After sentencing, Song’s attorney, Phillip Hayes, denied that the group had any extremist ties, according to KXAN.

“This is a bunch of kids and young adults who really have a really big heart and really wanted their voice to be heard,” Hayes said. “It was never intended that anybody get hurt. It was never intended that any shots would be fired.”

The trial marked the first federal domestic terrorism case against Antifa members after the Trump administration designated the anarchist group as a terrorist organization last fall.