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Three Spokane protesters convicted of federal conspiracy for blocking ICE bus transfer

May 18, 2026 · Spokane, WA

Three Spokane protesters convicted of federal conspiracy for blocking ICE bus transfer

Three activists—Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II—were convicted on federal conspiracy charges on May 28, 2025, for their roles in a June 2025 protest at an ICE facility in Spokane aimed at preventing the transfer of two detained asylum seekers to a facility near Tacoma. The three defendants were among nine people arrested on federal charges stemming from the protest, which involved hundreds of demonstrators who blocked ICE vehicles for approximately nine hours. Six other protesters, including former City Council President Ben Stuckart who posted the social media call that mobilized the demonstration, accepted guilty pleas and received reduced sentences. The three convicted defendants face up to six years in prison and fines up to $250,000, and plan to appeal.

Timeline

May 18, 2026Three defendants proceeded to trial asserting their actions constituted nonviolent civil disobedience
Jun 11, 2025Hundreds of protesters gathered at ICE facility in Spokane to block transfer of two detained Venezuelan asylum seekers to Tacoma; protesters linked arms and blocked vehicles for nine hours
Jun 2025Nine protesters arrested and charged with federal conspiracy to impede federal officers; six accepted guilty pleas including former City Council President Ben Stuckart
May 29, 2025Convicted defendants announced plans to appeal verdicts
May 28, 2025Federal jury found three defendants—Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II—guilty of federal conspiracy charges after eight-day trial

Sources

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