Date of proceedings: July 6, 2026
Court: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas — Fort Worth Division
Case number: No. 4:25-CR-282 (as recorded in notes; confirm against docket)
Judge: U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman
Parties present: Prosecution (federal; prosecutor recorded as “Gatto” [phonetic, confirm]); defense counsel “Kara [Careras?]” [phonetic, confirm] for the defendant; defendant Susan Kent present
Type of proceeding: Federal sentencing following a guilty plea
Key Takeaways
- Sentence: 72 months (6 years) in federal prison, concurrent with the defendant’s pending Johnson County state case.
- The court granted the defense’s motion for a downward variance (recorded as motion 193) and a related motion (recorded as motion 199).
- Supervised release: 2 years with conditions, with the possibility of early termination for good behavior; no fine and no restitution ordered; a $100 special assessment.
- The court found the defendant less culpable than several co-defendants and recommended placement at FMC Carswell (or as close as possible), citing her need for medical and mental-health care and interest in educational/vocational programs.
- The defendant waived her right to appeal but reserved the right to challenge whether her plea was voluntary and whether the court erred in calculating the guidelines; any notice of appeal must be filed within 14 days.
Narrative summary
Plea and posture. The court first confirmed the procedural history: the defendant had appeared before the court, entered a guilty plea (initially taken before “Judge Ray” [phonetic]), was found to understand the elements of the offense, and had signed a factual resume and plea agreement. Judge Pittman accepted the guilty plea. The specific offense of conviction is not stated in the available notes (see gaps below).
Presentence report and objections. The government confirmed it had reviewed the recalculated presentence report (PSR). The defense lodged four objections, which the court indicated did not materially affect its decision but took up on the record anyway. The defendant raised that she was not receiving needed medication in jail, prompting Judge Pittman to respond, “Let’s see if we can get you somewhere we can get you those meds.”
Downward variance and comparative culpability. The court granted the defense’s motions (recorded as motion 199 and the downward-variance motion 193), describing a significant downward variance based on the defendant’s cooperation. In arguing for a lower sentence, defense counsel framed the defendant’s connection to the underlying events as flowing primarily through her boyfriend, Seth Sikes, and placed her among a group — including John Thomas and Lynette Sharp — at a gas station while the group discussed what to do about Benjamin Hanil Song. Counsel acknowledged the defendant took some steps after the fact, but distinguished her conduct from that of others: whereas John Thomas was described as having bought disguises and tracked movements, the defendant was characterized as “there and kind of going along,” having moved blankets and water bottles. Counsel argued she was less directly involved than John Thomas, Lynette Sharp, and Rebecca Morgan. Judge Pittman agreed she was less culpable than the others.
Gravity of the underlying events. The court balanced that finding against the seriousness of the July 2025 events, referencing roughly 50 firearms recovered and 11 firearms found in the woods, and stating the situation “could have been an absolute slaughter.” The court attributed to Song a statement that “I won’t be arrested,” which Pittman characterized as indicating an intent toward a riot and prison break, and referenced the July 4 timing. Pittman also tied the sentence to sentences imposed on co-defendants shortly before, noting it was calibrated “particularly [to] those I sentenced last week.”
Character and mitigation. Defense counsel described the defendant as well-educated, with substantial community support present in the courtroom (“at least 10 people here”), a history of helping others, a recently secured job, and a passive, approval-seeking rather than criminal disposition — casting her involvement as situational and driven by a desire to maintain relationships within a friend group. Counsel noted the defendant is also represented by “Tim Good” [phonetic, confirm] in a related Johnson County (state) case, and read from character letters submitted on her behalf.
Defendant’s statement. The defendant addressed the court, becoming emotional (the judge offered tissues and permitted counsel to approach). She thanked the court for the opportunity to speak, apologized to Lt. Thomas Gross and his family, and expressed relief that he was able to return home to his family. She spoke about faith-based recovery work (a “Celebrate Recovery” course and Christ-centered prison outreach), gratitude for her family’s support, and remorse for having been involved in “death and agony.”
Pronouncement of sentence. The court imposed 72 months of imprisonment on the relevant count (recorded as “425cr282-p D3”), concurrent with the defendant’s state case — the same term imposed on co-defendant Seth Sikes. The court noted the defendant had been the only witness available for a “July 3 gear check,” evidence that would otherwise have been unavailable. Remarking that “you’re never as bad as you were on your worst day,” Pittman also observed, “This has not been easy for me; would have been a whole lot easier if more people had cooperated.” The court ordered:
- No fine and no restitution (the court noted the defendant had no financial resources); a $100 special assessment.
- Supervised release of 2 years with conditions, with possible early termination for good behavior.
- A recommendation for placement at FMC Carswell (or as close as possible), with access to educational programs, and an inquiry into securing a medical facility near DFW where she could receive her mental-health medication and pursue vocational training (welding was mentioned).
Appeal rights. The defendant waived her right to appeal, while reserving the right to challenge whether her plea was voluntary and whether the court made an error in calculating the guidelines. She was advised that any notice of appeal must be filed within 14 days.
Next court date
None stated in the available notes for this federal matter. A related Johnson County state case remains pending.
Section 2: Full Notes
These raw notes cover the full session of 2026-07-06.
Court Notes — AB — 2026-07-06
Finally…
425 CR…
Gatto
Kara [Careras?] for Susan Elaine Kent
Δ – discuss some background, got some motions to take care of.
Prelim findings – app. before ct, pled guilty before Judge Ray, SK understood elements of offense, signed factual resume, plea agreement, Pittman accepts guilty plea.
recid PSR, gov’t reviewed
4 objs lodged – don’t really affect court’s decision, but go over anyway.
Kent disagreed w/ Song’s _ something abt a military base?
SK complained that she does not receive needed meds in jail. “Lets see if we can get you somewhere we can get you those meds.
“Pretty signif. ↓ variance based on cooperation.
Sentencing- 4D 6 180 Spv not more than 3 yrs
50-250k fine · 15 character [letters?]
Grant motion 199
sentencing↓variance motion 193 ← granted as well
Appropriate sentencing. given your actions and↗
“particularly those I sentenced last week.”
Atty – primary connect to event is her boyfriend, she went to ^jail looking for Siks was @ gas station w/ JT, Lynette, others. while they were trying to figure out wtd w/ Song.
Δ agrees SK deserves ↓ sentence, but reminds her she did take spec. actions after the fact to conceal Song.
Lynette’s: JT bought disguises, tracked his movements, SK was “there and kind of going along w/ them.”
SK moved blankets and water bottles, but she deserves less than JT, LS, RM because less direct involvement.
Pitt agrees she’s less culpable than the others.
Atty says SK well educated, blah blah. Enormous amount of support, “at least 10 people here.”
Pitt- “this could have been an absolute slaughter, 50 firearms found, 11 firearms out in the woods
Song = “I won’t be arrested – indicating a riot and prison break.”
4th of July, massacre, children sleeping, blah, blah, blah.
Atty talking abt SK’s love for helping moms. just hired @ a good job before… SK has passive personality, approval seeking behaviors, not a pathological criminal, just situational. Wanted to maintain relat. w/ Sikes and “this so-called friend group that she’ll talk to you abt in a minute.”
Mentions SK in talks w/ Tim Good in JoCo and is repping her in state case as well. Atty goes over qualities in her character letters _
SK statement. Crying. Pittman offers Kleenex. Atty reqs to approach SK, he allows it.
Thank you for this oppty to speak. Cries. apologizes to Gross & family, thanks God he was able to make it home to his family.
Hard to understand – “I had to listen to the prosecutor _ “distance to death”
Do not want to be the person who is so careless w/ tools made for taking life. Sought to understand the path that led her here. Celebrate Recovery course, exploring her relat. w/ the Lord. something about Christ-centered prison outreach. Inc. blessed to have family who love and support me here. Thank you for still loving me. I’m sorry I’ve been involved in death and agony? More apologizing to Gross.
“You’re never as bad as you were on your worst day” – Pittman
SK only witness for July 3 gear check, without her we wouldn’t have that evidence
72 months = same as Sikes
“This has not been easy for me, would have been a whole lot easier if more people had’ve cooperated.”
Hope we can find you a good facility where you can practice welding. Is there a good place where we can m/s she’s getting her MH meds?”
Med jail near DFW if possible
425cr282-p D3 – 72 months concur w/ state case
no $ resources, no restit, no fine. 1x assessment $100
superv release = 2 yrs w/ conditions, may get off early if good behaviors
All terms under misc. motion
Req. for FMC Carswell or as close
as possible, also educational programs avail.
to her.” Fair sentence, took into account
her actions.
Waived right to appeal
Reserved right to challenge whether
plea was voluntary
or if Pittman made a mistake
calculating.
Must file notice to appeal 14 days