Federal Jury Convicts Three Spokane Protesters of Conspiracy to Impede ICE Agents

SPOKANE, Wash. — A federal jury on May 28, 2026, convicted three individuals known as the “Spokane Three” on charges of conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers during a protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility last year.

Bajun Mavalwalla II, a military combat veteran, activist Justice Forral, and Gonzaga Law School graduate Jac Archer were found guilty after an eight-day trial. The jury deliberated for less than a full day before returning the verdicts.

The convictions stem from events on June 11, 2025, when protesters gathered outside the ICE field office in downtown Spokane. According to trial evidence, the defendants and others attempted to block an ICE vehicle transporting two detained individuals to a facility in Tacoma. Prosecutors argued the group conspired to physically impede federal officers in the performance of their duties and potentially injure them or damage government property.

Each defendant faces up to six years in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not yet been scheduled.

This case marks the first known federal conspiracy prosecution of its kind in Eastern Washington under 18 U.S.C. § 372, a Civil War-era statute. Seven other individuals charged in connection with the same protest took plea deals on lesser charges.

Defense attorneys maintained that the protesters were exercising their First Amendment rights and that the government was overreaching by using conspiracy charges against peaceful demonstrators. However, the jury rejected those arguments after hearing testimony from ICE officers and reviewing video evidence of the confrontation.

The verdict has drawn strong reactions. Immigration enforcement advocates praised the outcome as a necessary stand against attempts to obstruct federal law. Critics, including some local progressive groups and former federal prosecutors, expressed concern that the charges could chill legitimate protest activity.

The case is part of the broader Trump administration’s emphasis on protecting federal operations from interference amid heightened immigration enforcement. U.S. Attorney’s Office officials described the convictions as important for maintaining the rule of law and ensuring federal agents can safely perform their duties.

The defendants are expected to appeal the convictions. The outcome is likely to be closely watched as a test case for how far prosecutors can go when charging protesters with conspiracy-related offenses.