Eastern Washington Jury Convicts Three Defendants in Spokane ICE Facility Conspiracy Case

A federal jury in Eastern Washington has convicted Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II for conspiring to impede federal officers during operations connected to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Spokane, Washington.

The verdicts were returned on May 28, 2026, following an eight-day federal trial and more than a day of jury deliberations before United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell. The twelve-member jury unanimously found all three defendants guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Sentencing dates have not yet been scheduled.

The convictions stem from a June 2025 incident outside an ICE facility in Spokane where federal officers were attempting to transport detainees from Spokane to another detention location and immigration court proceedings near Tacoma.

During trial proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence showing officers were prevented from carrying out detainee transportation operations for more than nine hours as demonstrators and co-conspirators blocked exits, obstructed vehicle movement, and damaged property tied to the operation. Officers who testified during the trial stated they feared for their safety due to the crowd size, physical obstruction, and escalating confrontation surrounding the transport area.

Federal prosecutors argued that the actions moved beyond lawful protest activity and entered into criminal interference with federally authorized law enforcement duties. Jurors were shown extensive video footage recorded during the June 11, 2025 incident, along with testimony from multiple witnesses connected to the operation.

The case originally involved nine defendants after a federal grand jury returned indictments during the summer of 2025 charging participants with conspiracy to injure or impede officers of the United States. Six defendants later entered guilty pleas before trial, leaving Archer, Forral, and Mavalwalla to face jury proceedings.

The prosecution evolved into a lengthy federal court battle involving extensive evidentiary disputes, constitutional arguments, dismissal motions, and multiple pretrial hearings. Defense teams included senior federal defenders, former federal prosecutors, and private criminal defense attorneys from Spokane-based law firms.

Judge Rebecca L. Pennell presided over the litigation process, including evidentiary rulings and jury procedures intended to ensure a fair and impartial trial.

Federal prosecutors called numerous witnesses during proceedings, including law enforcement personnel involved in the detainee transport operation. Two defendants exercised their constitutional right to testify during trial, while the third exercised the constitutional right not to testify.

Following closing arguments on May 27, 2026, jurors deliberated for more than a day before returning unanimous guilty verdicts against all three defendants.

First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano stated the convictions reflected the distinction between protected speech and criminal obstruction of federal law enforcement operations. Serrano emphasized that the defendants received full constitutional protections throughout the judicial process, including representation by counsel, extensive motion practice, and a jury trial before citizens drawn from across the Eastern District of Washington.

Serrano further stated that disagreement with immigration policy does not provide legal protection for actions that obstruct federal officers, interfere with transportation operations, or damage government property during active enforcement activity.

The case arrives amid continuing national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement operations, ICE detention facilities, and demonstrations tied to federal immigration policy. Federal agencies have increasingly monitored incidents involving physical obstruction of transport routes, facility access points, and officer movement during immigration-related operations across the United States.

The prosecution was handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.

Case Number: 2:25-CR-00113-RLP

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