DALLAS — Seven additional defendants convicted in connection with the July 4, 2025, attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado were sentenced Thursday, bringing the total prison time imposed in the case to more than 556 years, federal prosecutors announced.
The latest sentencings come just days before the first anniversary of the attack and represent the second round of prison terms in the federal prosecution stemming from the assault on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.
Federal prosecutors said the seven defendants received a combined sentence of 106 years in federal prison.
Ines Soto received the longest sentence at 50 years, followed by Joy Gibson and Rebecca Morgan, who each received 15 years.
Lynette Sharp and John Thomas were each sentenced to 110 months, Seth Sikes received six years, and Nathan Baumann was sentenced to 22 months.
Last week, Benjamin Hanil Song, whom prosecutors identified as the leader of the cell, was sentenced to 100 years in prison.
Authorities said Song opened fire on responding officers during the attack, striking an Alvarado police officer in the neck before fleeing the scene. He was captured 11 days later after authorities launched a manhunt.
According to evidence presented during a 12-day federal trial, the defendants were members of a North Texas Antifa-affiliated cell accused of planning and carrying out the late-night attack.
Prosecutors said participants arrived dressed in black clothing and face coverings while carrying rifles, explosives, body armor and medical kits.
They allegedly vandalized government property, ignited fireworks and explosives, and exchanged gunfire with law enforcement after officers responded to reports of the disturbance.
Prosecutors said evidence presented during trial showed members of the group communicated through encrypted messaging applications, conducted reconnaissance before the attack and allegedly acquired more than 50 firearms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before July 4, 2025.
Evidence also showed some participants attended a peaceful demonstration outside the detention center earlier that day before regrouping later that night for the attack.
“The attack on the Prairieland Detention Center, almost a year ago to the day, was not only a vicious attack on a building but also an attack on the men and women from our North Texas communities who work there. The sentences imposed to date for the 15 Antifa cell members were just and deserved,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said.
“I continue to praise the prompt action of first responders and our law enforcement partners that night, along with the tireless work of the prosecutors in my office who made sure that the Prairieland terrorists were held accountable. Terrorist acts committed by any individual will not be tolerated. We will continue to hold others accountable who perpetrate such violence and fund these ANTIFA groups in the Northern District of Texas.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said the sentences underscore the seriousness of the attack.
“The sentences imposed on these defendants emphasize the seriousness of the violent acts committed against our law enforcement partners,” Rothrock said. “We would like to thank all the law enforcement agencies that contributed to the outcome of this investigation. Our collective goal remains safeguarding the security of our communities in North Texas.”
One remaining defendant, Susan Kent, is scheduled to be sentenced July 6. Her sentencing will conclude the federal prosecution stemming from the July 2025 attack.