Eight defendants get decades in Texas detention-center shooting case

A federal judge in Texas sentenced eight people to decades in prison over a shooting that wounded a police officer during a demonstration at an immigration detention center near Dallas. The case has drawn scrutiny because prosecutors tied the defendants to antifa and used terrorism charges against all but one of them, according to The Associated Press.

Benjamin Song, a former U.S. Marine reservist, received a 100-year prison term Tuesday, the maximum punishment, for opening fire during the July 4 protest outside the Prairieland Detention Center, AP reported. Seven other defendants were sentenced to terms ranging from 30 to 70 years.

Prosecutors described the shooting as terrorism and said the defendants were linked to antifa, a loose anti-fascist movement that President Donald Trump has designated a “terrorist” organization. Defense lawyers denied the defendants had antifa ties, and relatives criticized the length of the sentences.

Judge cites deterrence

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, one of two judges handling the proceedings, characterized the episode as an attack on democracy, according to AP. He said deterrence was a major factor in the sentences.

The Justice Department said the case marked the first sentencing of people it called antifa-affiliated defendants after Trump signed a September 22 executive order labeling antifa a terrorist organization. AP noted that the United States does not have a domestic counterpart to the State Department’s list of foreign terrorist organizations.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement that the sentences showed people who attack law enforcement and federal facilities would face severe consequences. Prosecutor Frank Gatto also pressed for long prison terms, telling the court that people with extremist beliefs needed “extra time in prison,” AP reported.

At trial, prosecutors pointed to firearms, first aid supplies and body armor as evidence of intent, according to the Justice Department. The department said Song shouted, “Get to the rifles,” before firing and hitting an officer who had arrived at the detention center.

Defense says protest was not an ambush

Defense lawyers said there was no planned ambush. They argued that protesters who had guns brought them for protection and that the event had been organized as a late-night demonstration with fireworks in support of immigrants held at Prairieland, AP reported.

Phillip Hayes, Song’s lawyer, rejected the government’s portrayal of the group as extremists and said Song would appeal the 100-year sentence. Hayes told the court the defendants were young people who wanted to be heard and did not intend for anyone to be injured.

Autumn Hill, who received a 50-year sentence, told the court the gathering felt more like a party and that participants did not want violence or property damage, according to AP. Her lawyer, Cody Cofer, said there was no evidence she had a gun or supported violence, and said she picked up trash after fireworks were set off.

Savanna Batten also received 50 years. Her lawyer, Chris Tolbert, has said she did not bring a firearm, spray paint or fireworks and did not help plan the demonstration.

Daniel Sanchez Estrada was sentenced to 30 years after being convicted only of concealing documents, AP reported. His lawyer, Christopher Weinbel, said Sanchez Estrada was not at Prairieland on the night of the shooting and had moved a box containing his own artwork, poetry, journals and zines after the incident.

AP also reported that other defendants had earlier pleaded guilty to providing material support to “terrorists” rather than go to trial. The sentences came as federal prosecutors separately charged 15 people in Minnesota last week with impeding the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts, alleging they were antifa members who conspired to block arrests and deportations.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.