Seven Texas defendants receive prison terms in ICE facility attack case

Seven defendants linked to a Texas group were sentenced Wednesday in the first federal case involving charges tied to the July 2025 attack on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alvarado. The attack wounded a local police officer. Sentences handed down ranged from 22 months to 50 years.

Ines Houston Soto received the longest term of the day, 50 years, after conviction on charges including providing material support to terrorists, rioting with intent to commit violence, and conspiracy to use an explosive. Rebecca Morgan and Joy Abigail Gibson each received 15-year terms after entering non-cooperating plea agreements.

Seth Edison Sikes, Lynette Read Sharp, Nathan Josiah Baumann, and John Phillip Thomas received reduced sentences after cooperating with prosecutors. Sharp and Thomas were each sentenced to 110 months. Sikes received 72 months and Baumann received 22 months.

Background on the case The July 2025 attack involved the use of fireworks to draw officers outside the ICE facility. Prosecutors said the defendants acted in line with an Antifa ideology. All six who entered plea agreements admitted to providing material support to terrorists.

Chief District Judge Reed O’Connor, who handled several of the sentencings, stated the penalties were intended to deter similar conduct. Four previously sentenced defendants have filed appeals. Online threats directed at the judges were reported after the June 23 sentencing hearing.

Baumann’s attorney noted his client’s concern about possible retaliation for cooperating.