Eight people tied to the anti‑fascist movement have been sentenced to a cumulative 450‑year prison term for their role in a violent protest outside an immigration detention centre in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4, 2025.
Prosecutors say the defendants set off fireworks, damaged property and shot an officer who was on duty at the Prairieland facility. The most severe sentence—100 years—was handed to a former Marine Corps reservist who was convicted of attempted murder of a law‑enforcement officer.
The other seven defendants received sentences ranging from 30 to 70 years, according to a Justice Department statement. The sentences were described as “swift and uncompromising justice” by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who condemned the “assault on democracy” carried out by the group.
The group, dubbed the North Texas Antifa Cell, was accused of a broader network that endorses the overthrow of federal institutions and government. The defendants have denied any affiliation with Antifa, claiming they were there to support detained immigrants in a non‑violent demonstration.
The case follows President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. Critics argue Antifa is an ideological stance rather than an organized group, while supporters view the prosecution as necessary to curb extremist violence.
