In a historic first for American law enforcement, five members of a North Texas Antifa cell have pleaded guilty to terrorism charges for their roles in a coordinated July 4, 2025, attack on the ICE Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas. The defendants — Nathan Baumann, Seth Sikes, Joy Gibson, John Thomas, and Lynette Sharp — admitted to “providing material support to terrorists” during a plea hearing on November 19 in Fort Worth.
The attack left an Alvarado police officer shot in the neck and unarmed correctional officers under fire. Federal prosecutors say the group’s guilty pleas mark the first successful terrorism convictions against Antifa militants in the United States. Each defendant now faces up to 15 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 12.
The guilty pleas came just days after a federal grand jury indicted nine additional members of the same “North Texas Antifa Cell,” while seven others were charged by information for related offenses. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson called it “the first indictment in the country against a group of violent Antifa cell members.”
The July 4 Attack
According to the Justice Department, the defendants dressed in black military-style clothing and launched a coordinated assault on the detention center, initially firing fireworks at the facility. After several minutes, members of the group broke away to spray graffiti on vehicles and a guard post.
When an Alvarado police officer responded to 911 calls, one of the attackers positioned in nearby woods shot the officer in the neck. Another assailant across the street fired between 20 and 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who stepped outside the building. AR-style rifles were recovered at the scene, and several suspects were found wearing body armor or carrying radios. Twelve sets of body armor were discovered on the defendants or in associated vehicles.
All suspects attempted to flee but were ultimately stopped by additional law enforcement.
Defendants Cited Mental Health Issues During Plea Hearing
During the 40-minute hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cureton, the five defendants appeared in shackles. Two claimed depression, one bipolar disorder, and two ADHD, according to The Dallas Express. The judge determined all were competent to proceed and accepted their pleas.
Charges Against Additional Suspects
The nine newly indicted suspects face an array of federal charges, including:
- Riot involving acts of violence such as shooting, throwing explosives, slashing government vehicle tires, spraying graffiti, destroying security cameras, and wearing black bloc.
- Providing Material Support to Terrorists through weapons, explosives, training, equipment, transportation, and services.
- Conspiracy to Use and Carry Explosives during a riot.
- Attempted Murder of U.S. Officers and Employees for the attack on correctional officers and the shooting of the police officer.
- Discharging a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.
- Corruptly Concealing Documents related to Antifa materials and plans.
- Conspiracy to Conceal Evidence involving documents tied to the attack.
Those charged span various roles within the cell, including individuals accused of firing weapons, coordinating logistics, transporting evidence, and attempting to hide materials from investigators.
Federal Officials Call Attack an Organized Domestic Terrorist Operation
Federal leaders emphasized the gravity of the case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson said the charges “address the vicious attack perpetrated by an anti-ICE, anti-law enforcement, anti-government, anarchist group,” praising the “tenacious work” of federal, state, and local agencies.
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said the updated charges reflect “the seriousness of the crimes committed at the Prairieland Detention Center.”
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Acting Field Office Director Robert Cerna said the July attack was an attempt “to sow anarchy and chaos and to undermine the rule of law,” adding that coordinated law enforcement efforts exposed those responsible.
Sentencing Ahead
The five defendants who pleaded guilty — Baumann, Sikes, Gibson, Thomas, and Sharp — now await sentencing on March 12. Each faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison.
The remaining defendants will face trial on terrorism, attempted murder, weapons, explosives, and conspiracy charges as federal prosecutors continue pursuing what they describe as an organized Antifa domestic terror network operating in North Texas.
READ NEXT: ICE Expands Surveillance, Tracking Antifa
Sweet
time will tell at judgement day in march of 2026