A federal grand jury has issued indictments against nine individuals accused of operating as members of a North Texas Antifa cell, linking them to a coordinated attack on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alvarado on July 4. The charges include rioting, attempted murder, and providing material support to terrorists—marking what federal officials describe as the first case of its kind targeting an organized Antifa group. An additional seven people face charges for allegedly offering material support to the same network.
Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Texas assert that the defendants acted as part of a militant organization guided by an ideology that encourages the overthrow of the U.S. government, the dismantling of law-enforcement institutions, and the rejection of legal authority. According to investigators, the group represents a localized arm of a broader left-wing extremist movement often associated with violent demonstrations and confrontations.
Authorities say the July 4 incident involved participants dressed in uniform black attire known as “black bloc,” a tactic commonly used to conceal identities and create confusion during protests or riots. Investigators allege that the group launched fireworks toward the ICE facility, damaged vehicles, and targeted a guard station on the property. Evidence presented to the grand jury claims the cell had conducted surveillance in the days leading up to the attack and had amassed an arsenal of more than 50 firearms.
Federal agents contend that the scale of planning and the weapons involved elevate the incident from a spontaneous protest to a deliberate violent operation. Officials familiar with the investigation say the updated indictments reflect the increasingly serious nature of the offenses, building on earlier charges filed in October against two individuals who were the first to face federal terrorism counts tied to the same incident. Those earlier documents alleged that the group brought at least ten firearms to the attack.
The indictments come at a time of heightened scrutiny of Antifa-aligned groups. The federal government’s position intensified in September, when the president issued an executive order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and instructing federal agencies to actively disrupt any illegal activity connected to the movement. Senior Justice Department officials have emphasized that those involved in such acts of violence will be prosecuted accordingly.
Texas state leaders have pursued parallel efforts. The state attorney general has initiated an investigation into organizations believed to be associated with left-wing political violence within Texas, signaling a broader statewide focus on groups viewed by officials as extremist.
The combined federal and state actions reflect a coordinated attempt to curb what authorities describe as escalating aggression from organized anti-government cells. As the criminal cases progress, prosecutors are expected to outline further details about the structure of the alleged North Texas Antifa cell, its communication methods, and the extent of any connections to similar groups elsewhere in the country.
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