Federal authorities have brought serious charges against ten individuals following a violent attack on an ICE detention center in Texas during the Fourth of July celebrations. The incident, which unfolded at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, began at approximately 10:30 p.m., as stated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The group, donned in black military-style attire, is accused of launching fireworks at the facility to create a diversion. While some individuals were vandalizing vehicles and a guard post, others hid in the nearby woods. An Alvarado police officer, who arrived to investigate, was reportedly shot in the neck by one of the suspects. Concurrently, another member of the group allegedly fired upon unarmed correctional officers outside the building, discharging between 20 to 30 rounds, as outlined in the criminal complaint.
During the investigation, multiple AR-style rifles were recovered, along with twelve sets of body armor, radios, and other tactical gear found in vehicles associated with the suspects. Evidence at the scene also included flyers with slogans like “FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!” and a flag stating “RESIST FASCISM – FIGHT OLIGARCHY,” hinting at the political motivations behind the assault. Notably, one defendant was in possession of multiple phones inside a Faraday bag, typically used to block signals and prevent electronic surveillance.
The defendants, identified as Cameron Arnold, Savannah Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto, each face three counts of attempted murder of federal officers and three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson expressed her grave concern over the event, labeling it an “ambush” rather than a peaceful protest. “This increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas,” Larson stated. FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock reinforced this message, asserting the FBI's dedication to protecting law enforcement from such threats.
The potential consequences for the accused are severe, with convictions carrying a minimum sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison. However, it is important to note that these charges are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
This July 4th assault represents a marked escalation in violence against federal immigration authorities, occurring amidst heightened federal enforcement efforts under President Trump's administration. Just days after the Alvarado incident, another attack on law enforcement occurred when a gunman was fatally shot after engaging federal agents and local officers at a U.S. Border Patrol annex in McAllen, Texas.
The Alvarado attack has raised alarms about the rising threat of organized extremist violence directed at law enforcement, highlighting a broader trend of hostility towards immigration authorities. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some questioning the mainstream media's coverage of such events. As the legal process unfolds, the implications of this assault on law enforcement and public safety continue to reverberate through communities and across the nation.
