Ten individuals have been charged in connection with the shooting of an Alvarado police officer at the Prairieland Detention Center. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI R. Joseph Rothrock, and Enforcement Removal Operations Dallas Acting Field Office Director Joshua Johnson.
According to a criminal complaint filed, the defendants were dressed in black military-style clothing and initiated an attack by shooting fireworks at the facility. After approximately 10 minutes, one or two individuals separated from the group to spray graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot. An Alvarado police officer responded after correctional officers reported suspicious activity. Upon arrival, the officer was shot in the neck by an alleged defendant positioned in nearby woods. Another assailant fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers outside the facility.
AR-style rifles were found at the scene as alleged in the complaint. The attackers fled but were intercepted by law enforcement officers. Some defendants wore body armor, carried weapons, and had two-way radios. Twelve sets of body armor were discovered during searches related to vehicles associated with them.
Officers also found spray paint, flyers stating “FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!” and “FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS,” and a flag reading “RESIST FACISM – FIGHT OLIGARCHY.” One attacker had cell phones inside a "Faraday bag," used to block phone signals.
The ten individuals charged include Cameron Arnold, Savannah Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto. They face three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm related to a crime of violence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson stated: “Make no mistake, this was not a peaceful protest... Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be found and prosecuted using the toughest criminal statutes and penalties available.”
R. Joseph Rothrock added: “The incident at the Prairieland Detention Center underscores the dangers that officers face daily... We are committed to thoroughly investigating this weekend’s incident.”
Josh Johnson commented: “Violence... at our ICE Facilities will not deter our officers at ICE from fulfilling their duties.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted, they face a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and up to life imprisonment.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including Dallas FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ICE ERO), Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety, Alvarado Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Gatto and Shawn Smith are prosecuting.
