Feds expand terrorism charges against Antifa members indicted in Texas ICE center shooting

Federal prosecutors have filed additional terrorism-related charges against six additional people in connection with the July 4 shooting outside the Prairieland immigration detention center near Alvarado, Texas, with six other defendants scheduled to enter guilty pleas.

The latest indictment was issued Friday and expands on earlier charges. According to the Associated Press, the new counts relate to President Donald Trump’s declaration of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

The violence occurred on July 4 outside the Prairieland facility, which is southwest of Dallas. Prosecutors say a group of suspects set off fireworks, vandalized vehicles and opened fire on responding officers. A police officer was struck in the neck during the gunfire but was later released from the hospital.

The Justice Department on Friday said a grand jury indicted nine individuals linked to a North Texas Antifa Cell, while seven more were charged by information. The charges include rioting, attempted murder, use of weapons and explosives, providing material support to terrorists and obstruction.

Charges were also filed yesterday against “Nathan Baumann, Joy Gibson, Susan Kent, Rebecca Morgan, Lynette Sharp, and John Thomas with one count of providing material support to terrorists,” per the DOJ.

“This is the first indictment in the country against a group of violent Antifa cell members,” said Acting US Attorney Nancy Larson. “The charges the Grand Jury has leveled against these defendants, including material support for terrorists, address the vicious attack perpetrated by an anti-ICE, anti-law enforcement, anti-government, anarchist group. I applaud the tenacious work of the FBI, ICE, our state and local law enforcement partners, and the prosecutors and staff in my office. They have tirelessly pursued justice in this case, and will continue to pursue justice in any cases like it. We are firm in our resolve to protect our law enforcement officers and federal facilities against organized domestic terrorist cells.”

Patrick McClain, an attorney representing defendant Zachary Evetts, said his client will plead not guilty at his arraignment on December 3. McClain disputed the government’s characterization of the group.

“Mr. Evetts has never been a member of anything like a ‘North Texas Antifa Cell,’ and from the evidence provided to us by the government so far, there is no evidence that such an organization ever existed,” McClain said on Saturday.