First terrorism charges brought against alleged Antifa members in Texas ICE attack

Two individuals, linked to Antifa, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to terrorism following a violent incident on July 4 at an ICE facility in Texas.

The indictment, released on Thursday after being issued on Wednesday, accuses Cameron Arnold and Zachary Evetts of multiple offenses, including providing material support for terrorism, attempting to murder federal officers, and the unlawful use of firearms during these attempts.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated, “For the first time, the FBI has arrested individuals identified as anarchist extremists and charged these Antifa-affiliated members with providing material support to terrorism.”

Patel described the event as “a premeditated and organized terrorist assault on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where armed aggressors attempted to murder U.S. law enforcement officers on the 4th of July.”

“Under President Trump’s new authorities, we are moving with unprecedented speed. To date, over 20 arrests have been made in connection with this case and other Antifa networks. We stand firm against anyone who threatens the safety of law enforcement,” Patel emphasized.

Attorney General Pam Bondi also praised the indictment and promised that additional prosecutions against members of Antifa would follow.

Arnold and Evetts allegedly took part in the coordinated assault on federal officers at the ICE facility, alongside nine additional suspects.

Officials indicated that the assailants employed fireworks as a diversion while vandalizing cars outside the facility.

As law enforcement responded to the disturbance, according to the indictment, Arnold shouted, “Get to the rifles!”

“Moments later, coconspirator-1 [Arnold] started firing at the officers, hitting an officer from Alvarado in the neck while unarmed correctional officers sought shelter. The injured officer collapsed but managed to return fire. Coconspirator-1 kept shooting until his weapon malfunctioned. The attackers subsequently retreated from the area,” the indictment stated.

These charges come shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.