Spokane Protestors Convicted on Conspiracy Charges Amid Federal Crackdown

On May 30, 2026 a federal jury in Spokane, Washington, convicted Bajun Mavalwalla II, Jac Archer, and Justice Forral of conspiracy to impede or injure ICE officers. The case stemmed from a June 2025 protest outside a federal building where ICE was moving two legally present Venezuelan immigrants to a Tacoma processing center. Police employed smoke grenades, pepper balls, and arrested more than 30 participants.

New York Times

The conviction tested a Trump-administration directive urging prosecutors to prioritize conspiracy charges against those interfering with immigration enforcement. Similar tactics were used in Chicago’s “Broadview Six” case, dismissed in April 2026. Acting U.S. attorney Richard Barker resigned rather than pursue such charges, but his successor filed the indictment.

Mother Jones

The three convicted protesters—veteran Bajun Mavalwalla II and organizers Jac Archer and Justice Forral of Spokane Communities Against Racism—were charged. Acting U.S. attorney Richard Barker, who later resigned, initially considered the case. La Rond Baker leads the ACLU of Washington; Steffen Seitz is a legal scholar.

Mother Jones

More than 30 people were arrested at the protest. A grand jury indicted nine; six pleaded, three went to trial. Convictions carry up to six years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000.

Mother Jones

Richard Barker told PBS no protesters or officers were injured and later said the six-year charge conflicted with his professional identity, prompting his resignation. ACLU’s La Rond Baker warned the DOJ’s charges could deter protest.

Mother Jones

Legal scholar Steffen Seitz warned vague conspiracy statutes may chill lawful assembly. Hadley Morrow called the protest “the most spontaneous action I’ve seen,” questioning any conspiracy. Allegations of a deputy’s intent to use force and an ICE agent’s racist posts raised bias concerns.

Mother Jones

Video shows brief scuffles but no serious injuries; police reports note smoke grenades and pepper balls. Government evidence consisted mainly of images of protest tools, lacking proof of coordinated illegal action.

New York Times

• “None of the protesters were hurt. Fortunately, none of the law enforcement officers were hurt either,” — Richard Barker, former acting U.S. attorney

Mother Jones

• “didn’t feel in this case that a conspiracy charge that would carry a six-year term of incarceration was true to who I was or who I wanted to be as a federal prosecutor.” — Richard Barker

Mother Jones

• “It’s really hard to imagine where the conspiracy is.” — Hadley Morrow, friend of Archer and Forral

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• “If people become chilled from engaging in them because of the threat of this kind of vague criminal liability, then we’re all worse off,” — Steffen Seitz, legal scholar, University of Denver

Mother Jones

• “While we respect the decision of the jury, this matter is not over,” — La Rond Baker, legal director, ACLU of Washington

Mother Jones

The three defendants will appeal and seek to vacate their convictions. The case may influence future DOJ prosecution of protest-related conduct and the use of conspiracy statutes.

Mother Jones