Our friend, Daniel "Des Revol" Sanchez Estrada, has been wrongly arrested and convicted over a box of zines. On June 23, 2026, he was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for, in essence, possessing political literature, which is protected by the First Amendment. Please help us raise funds to cover expensive legal fees in order to appeal, and any other costs for Des and his family created by this ordeal.
Des is a green card holder, tattoo artist, anarchist, and all-around sweetheart in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. In July of 2025, he was federally charges with moving a box of political pamphlets after several anti-ICE activists, including his wife, were arrested at a noise demonstration outside the Prairieland Detention Center. Des was not present at the protest.
Des isn’t just a victim of prosecutorial overreach, he’s a beloved artist and friend who enjoys experimenting with new recipes, digging into books, fostering baby opossums, and spending time with loved ones. As a longtime vegan dedicated to animal liberation, solidarity with nonhumans shows up in much of Des’s artwork, including through his playful depictions of raccoons, cats, and other critters. Des extends this deep solidarity outward: he’s a loving brother, son, and friend; he’s a free-spirited dreamer who takes good care of everyone and everything around him.
This 30-year sentence is having a devastating impact on Des’s loving community and family, who have depended upon him for support. More information about his case can be found in this June 23rd article from The Intercept, and at https://freedes.net
How funds will be used
This case is extremely hard for Des’s family, and Des needs a robust representation team to fight both his unjust conviction and brutal sentence as well as a possible future deportation order. Funds raised here will be used exclusively to help cover legal fees and meet the material, communication, and enrichment needs of Des and his family.
An important note
Des was wrongly convicted of “corruptly concealing a document or record” (essentially, evidence tampering) after the act of simply moving a box of commonly available pamphlets--all protected as free speech under the First Amendment. He is not accused of, charged with, or convicted of an act of violence or financial crimes.
Who we are
I am Jonathan Rochkind, and I'm helping Jessica Bell manage this fundraiser. I know Des to be an incredibly kind, solid, reliable person. All of us need Des to be free and at home. I am also a librarian by education and career, from which I know the importance of collecting and distributing controversial literature. In these dangerous times we must be clear in our defense against persecution for accusations of possessing and sharing dissident publications and ideas.
Jessica Bell is Des's sister, and all funds are being deposited directly into an account controlled by her, where she will have control over use of funds for Des and his family. Des has affirmed his complete trust in her and her ability to steward funds on his behalf.
