Alvarado ICE facility terrorism trial restarts following mistrial
New jury seated in trial for July 2025 ICE facility attack
A second jury has been seated in the case regarding 9 defendants accused of attacking an ICE facility in Alvarado. FOX 4's Dionne Anglin has more.
FORT WORTH, Texas - The trial for nine people accused of attacking a North Texas ICE facility restarted on Monday in Fort Worth.
The new date was set after a judge last week declared a mistrial over what one of the defense attorneys was wearing while questioning potential jurors. Her shirt had a civil rights message on it that could be seen in the courtroom.
New Trial Begins
What's new:
On Monday, the two sides began the process of selecting a new jury.
Some of the questions for potential jurors included:
- Has anyone ever had a negative or positive experience with ICE?
- Does anyone have strong feelings or beliefs about the organization known as Antifa?
- Does anyone have strong beliefs as to whether or not you should be able to bring a firearm to a protest?
This time, the judge also issued strict rules about what people can and cannot wear in the courtroom.
"All persons in the courtroom should wear attire appropriate for the courtroom. Graphic t-shirts, hats, shorts, costumes, lapel pins, and the like are prohibited," the order states.
Mistrial in federal domestic terrorism case over Alvarado ICE facility attack
A mistrial was declared in the federal domestic terrorism case involving a July 4 ambush on an Alvarado ICE facility after a defense attorney's shirt displayed civil rights messaging to potential jurors.
The backstory:
This past Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman declared a mistrial during voir dire, the jury selection process.
Sources told FOX 4 that one of the defense attorneys, Marquetta Clayton, was wearing a t-shirt under her blazer that depicted imagery related to civil rights and a civil rights leader. During jury selection, prosecutors raised concerns about the shirt.
Judge Pittman ultimately declared the mistrial before the jury was seated and before opening statements began.
Alvarado ICE Ambush
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: FBI on group involved in Alvarado ICE facility ambush
Nine defendants, allegedly led by a cult leader, appeared in court to face charges for the July ambush-style shooting of an Alvarado police officer during an attack at an ICE facility.
The nine defendants in this case are accused of participating in what federal prosecutors have called a planned ambush at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center on July 4, 2025.
Authorities allege fireworks were ignited, buildings and vehicles were damaged, and federal officers were fired upon. An Alvarado police officer responding to a 911 call was shot in the neck and survived.
Prosecutors contend the attack was orchestrated by members of what they describe as a North Texas Antifa cell and have labeled the case the first federal indictment in the nation tied to alleged Antifa-related domestic terrorism charges.
Benjamin Song, 'Top 10' suspect in Alvarado ICE attack, captured in Dallas
Benjamin Song, an FBI Most Wanted suspect believed to have attempted to murder three officers at an ICE detention facility in Alvarado on July 4, has been arrested.
The defendants – Daniel Estrada, Ines Soto, Elizabeth Soto, Maricela Rueda, Bradford Morris, Savanna Batten, Benjamin Song, Zachary Evetts, and Cameron Arnold – have denied wrongdoing.
Supporters insist the gathering was a protest and that not everyone present participated in the violence.
Five other people arrested in connection with the incident previously accepted plea deals and are expected to testify as the trial moves forward.
First Antifa terrorism case: 5 plead guilty in Alvarado ICE facility attack
Five people who pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges for supporting an alleged "Antifa cell" attack on an ICE detention center now face up to 15 years in prison, marking the first time Antifa has been targeted with material support to terrorism charges.
The Source: The information in this story comes from court records and past news coverage.