ALVARADO, Texas (KBTX) — A College Station man at the center of the federal trial over a July 4 attack on a North Texas ICE detention facility was labeled a “government-sponsored liar” by defense attorneys during closing arguments Wednesday.
Nine people are on trial, accused of a coordinated attack on the Prairieland ICE Detention Center on July 4, 2025. Combined, they face 65 charges ranging from providing material support for terrorists to attempted murder. An Alvarado police officer was shot in the neck during the attack and survived.
Nathan Baumann, a former College Station resident, served as the final cooperating witness in the trial, testifying Monday that he spray-painted employee vehicles and helped vandalize surveillance cameras at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado. In November, Baumann pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support for terrorists, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $250,000.
Defense attorney Brian Bouffard told jurors that Baumann repeatedly changed his story in hopes of a reduced prison sentence. Baumann was originally a tenth defendant in the case, charged with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. He was arrested at the detention center and accused of spray-painting structures and damaging vehicles.
Authorities say the suspects, dressed in black military-style clothing, launched a planned ambush on the facility in the late-night hours of July 4. According to prosecutors, the group began by shooting fireworks at the Prairieland Detention Center before one or two individuals broke off to spray graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot.
“An Alvarado police officer responded to the scene after correctional officers called 911 to report suspicious activity,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “When the Alvarado police officer arrived, one alleged defendant positioned in nearby woods shot the officer in the neck area. Another alleged assailant across the street fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility.”
Responding law enforcement said the suspects fled the scene but were stopped by additional officers. Authorities noted the suspects were wearing body armor, some were armed, and some carried two-way radios.
“Make no mistake, this was not a peaceful protest,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “This was an ambush on federal and local law enforcement officers. This increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.”
The nine defendants on trial are:
Cameron Arnold, of DallasSavannah Batten, of Fort WorthDaniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada, of GarlandZachary Evetts, of WaxahachieJoy Gibson, of DallasBradford Morris, of DallasMaricela Rueda, of Fort WorthSeth Sikes, of KennedaleElizabeth Soto, of Fort Worth
Prosecutor Shawn Smith told jurors the case is about “using legal things to do something illegal,” pointing to the defendants’ use of black clothing, cash-purchased fireworks and Faraday bags to block cell signals. Smith argued several defendants knew or should have known that Benjamin Song — accused of firing the shot that struck the officer — intended to create a confrontation that night.
Defense teams pushed back, broadly invoking First and Second Amendment protections. Several attorneys argued the event was a fireworks display meant to show support for detainees inside the facility — not a planned attack. One attorney noted that Song was the only person holding a gun that night.
Jurors must reach unanimous decisions on all 65 charges. Deliberations began at 9 a.m. Thursday.
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