Texas jury convicts protesters charged with plotting 'antifa' attack

"A jury delivered a mixed verdict Friday afternoon in connection with the shooting of a police officer at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in North Texas last summer, convicting most of the nine members of an alleged "antifa cell" for supporting terrorists and one of the group for attempted murder. It was a landmark verdict in the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on left-wing protesters as what it calls an organized network of "domestic terrorists.""

"Eight of the defendants (except Sanchez-Estrada) were convicted of providing support for terrorists. Eight of the defendants were convicted as well of riot and the explosives charges, which were fireworks. Only Song was convicted of attempted murder for shooting the officer. Sanchez-Estrada was convicted of concealing documents and conspiracy to conceal documents."

"The nine defendants, indicted by a grand jury collectively last fall, include alleged ringleader Benjamin Song, a former Marine reservist; Savanna Batten; Zachary Evetts; Autumn Hill; Meagan Morris; Maricela Rueda; and a couple, Elizabeth and Ines Soto. The accused included a middle school teacher, a college student, a mechanical engineer and a UPS worker."

A Fort Worth jury delivered a mixed verdict in a case involving nine defendants accused of participating in a July 4 demonstration outside a Texas ICE detention center that resulted in a police officer being shot and wounded. The defendants, including a former Marine reservist, teacher, college student, engineer, and UPS worker, faced charges including attempted murder, rioting, providing support to terrorists, and conspiracy charges. Eight defendants were convicted of providing support for terrorists and riot charges involving fireworks. Only Benjamin Song was convicted of attempted murder for shooting the officer. Daniel Sanchez-Estrada, who was not present at the scene, was convicted of concealing documents. All defendants pleaded not guilty and did not testify. The verdict represents a significant case in the Trump administration's efforts to prosecute left-wing protesters as domestic terrorists.

Read at The Washington Post